Issue #57, June 1, 2011
Nothing more profoundly shaped Moses’ leadership than the time he spent in God’s presence. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the LORD. (Ex. 34:29) This physical transformation was only an external sign of the relationship God desires to have with every servant leader. In what way does being in God’s presence make a difference in our leadership?
Leading from God’s presence shapes the leader.
There is no doubt that Moses’ life was deeply molded by his frequent face to face encounters with God. His encounter with the burning bush was a one time event that confirmed his call to lead, but these regular encounters with God made him a great leader. In God’s presence Moses learned to know the awesome God of the burning bush in a relationship so deep that they talked like friends. (Ex. 33:11) Moses didn’t go into God’s presence only for leadership training or instruction; he went to meet his God. He wasn’t seeking a supernatural glow on his face to impress the followers, but he was simply transformed by God’s presence. Time in God’s presence transforms character and shapes the leader’s inner person. In God’s presence my own sin, selfishness, or wrong motives are exposed and changed. I find strength to continue on and courage to do what is right.
Leading from God’s presence provides direction to the leader.
Moses obtained direction from God as he spent time in His presence. He came down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments as well as the blueprint for how God’s people should live. Furthermore, Moses led the people to meet God as he had done. (Ex. 19:17) Servant leaders experience God’s presence and then invite others to join them. They direct people to God’s plan, not their own dream or vision.
The cloud of God’s presence was a constant indication of God’s direction. Moses longed for this direction to the extent that he said to God, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” (Ex. 33:15) I long for such clear physical manifestation of God’s direction and often forget that Jesus promised each of His followers the guidance of the Spirit of God (Jn. 16:13). Servant leaders find time to get into God’s presence for clear direction for themselves and those who follow.
Leading from God’s presence demands sacrifice from the leader.
There’s a cost to being in God’s presence. For Moses on the mountain it was 40 days without food or water! In other seasons of his leadership he found time on a regular basis to enter the ‘tent of meeting.’ God doesn’t charge money for His presence, but there is a price to be paid. We all want the glow on our face, but few want to pay the price of daily spending time with God or seasons of fasting to seek Him!
Servant leaders pay the price for God’s presence. They are changed in His presence in ways that transform their leadership at home, in the marketplace or in church. Their leadership is no longer about calling people to reach their own goals, but calling people to also experience God’s presence and reach His goals. When their leadership flows out of time in God’s presence followers will see the radiance of God in their lives.
The background reading for this issue is: Exodus 19-31, 33: 7-23, 34:29-35 and Numbers 9
For further reflection and discussion:
- Can my followers tell today that I’ve been with Jesus?
- Is my leadership focused primarily on getting people to reach my goals, or helping people reach God’s goals for our organization?
- What difference would it make in my leadership if each day began with a time in God’s presence?
- Is my time in the ‘tent of meeting’ an integral part of my leadership or simply another task on my ‘to do’ list?
- Do I spend enough time in God’s presence to know His direction for the decisions I need to make today?