Issue #209, June 14, 2017
Moses’ first two questions were about identity: his own identity, and God’s identity. His next question was about leadership. “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1). Moses wanted to know if others would follow. How will the people respond when he tried to lead? Will others follow? These are questions of influence, the core of leadership. Every leader will face the question of influence and until they find an answer it is difficult to lead with confidence. God’s response to Moses gives servant leaders insight into several things they can do to grow in influence.
Influence begins with resourcefulness.
God asks Moses, “What is that in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2). Moses responded that all he had was a staff. Like many people, Moses did not recognize what was in his hand. He saw the staff as insignificant and useless for his call to leadership. It was the tool of a shepherd. It seemed like a very common, ordinary piece of wood. But it represented who Moses was and it was what he had in his hand. He did not yet recognize that God specializes in taking what is in our hand, putting it in His hands and then using it powerfully. Leaders seek to influence by using resources to meet needs. Some search for resources outside themselves. But servant leaders first look at what they have, not at what they do not have. This perspective allows them to see their own potential and to see the potential in those they lead. As leaders identify resources, their influence grows.
Influence grows with results.
After God opened Moses’ eyes to see what he had in his hand he tells Moses, “Throw it on the ground” (Exodus 4:3). When Moses took this step the staff became a snake! Why didn’t God simply change the staff into a snake without help from Moses? He wanted Moses to do something! God chooses to work through people to produce results. He calls leaders to act. Many people sit around waiting for something to happen or for someone else to act. Servant leaders see a need and do something about it. The action may seem small or insignificant but any action builds influence. Influence grows when we do something and others begin to see results. Servant leaders don’t rush into action, but they are willing to take any needed step to see a problem resolved. Moses could not have imagined at this point what God would use his staff to accomplish. But he was beginning to understand that God wanted him to do something and results would follow. God takes what is in our hand and asks us to act. Results follow.
Influence increases with repetition.
God was not done with His lesson for Moses. More instructions followed. First, he was to pick up the snake, not an easy assignment! Then God told him to put his hand inside his cloak and back out again. Each time Moses used his hands God performed a miracle. Then God says, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground” (Exodus 4:8-9). What point is God making? Don’t stop with your first attempt to influence! It may take three times, or thirty, but keep going! Servant leaders aren’t seeking influence for the sake of power, but they are willing to keep going until God’s hand is seen in theirs.
All leaders ask themselves questions of influence. Will people follow? What will it take for others to listen? God tells servant leaders through Moses, “Take what is in your hand, do what I tell you to do and I’ll take care of your influence.”
For further reflection and discussion:
- What is in my hand? What experiences, skills, training, life lessons, etc. has God allowed me to have in my hand? In what ways might He use these in my leadership? Have I been faithful to use all that He has entrusted to me? If I am an emerging leader, who can help me see what God has put in my hand?
- Is there a need I currently see that I am waiting for someone else to address? How might God be calling me to act? Pray to discern what action you can take to begin to address the challenge.
- Does fear of failure keep me from acting? Is it better for me to not move at all or to move in the wrong direction? Why?
- Have I been persistent when I have not seen immediate results? What keeps me from trying again and again?