Perseverence: Mentors and Helpers
”Select from all the people some capable and willing men as leaders over given groups.” (Exodus 18:21-22)
You are warmly welcome!
The legacy of a successful leader lives on through the people they touch, mentor and help along the way. As a leader is your legacy likely to live on through the people you serve? Let’s see what we can learn from a man who once lived a life of a prince but had to learn humility and the ways of the people he would one day lead.
After crossing the Red sea, the Israelites were discontented and not appreciative of Moses’ leadership. Imagine being a mentor to such a people; surely it would be strenuous at the end of the day. Apparently, Moses was the leader of such a people but one day; in Exodus 18 we read of Moses’ father in-law, Jethro who observed Moses at work for a day and offered him some godly counsel! Why? Moses was trying to do all things alone, and this was wearing out the people and Moses too.
As a mentor, Jethro suggested to Moses to delegate his work into the hands of men who:
a) are able and willing; because there may be those that are able but unwilling to assist, like most of us who keep giving excuses for not serving God and yet we are able,
b) have the fear of God; because they are teachable and obedient,
c) have God’s word, are honest, filled with integrity and reliable once given a task or circumstance,
d) hate covetousness, don’t take bribes, are impartial and selfless in their interactions with different people.
They would be leaders of a thousand, hundreds, fifties and tens. As a Christian in this day and age, would you qualify as a helper, given the attributes above?
Jethro announces to Moses in verse 23 the results, if he follows the godly advice: ‘If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace’. With the kind of workload upon Moses’ shoulders, it was clear that he would break down sooner than later; he would have lost his patience and given up the work or died sooner. In order to endure – to keep on for a longer time, to persevere, to continue in service, Moses needed to take his advice. Moses is a good example of a mentee that listens and takes advice; and he indeed lived longer and more successful in his leadership. Even Jesus Christ obeyed His Father’s will, all the way to the cross.
The other result was increased peace among the followers; they were served better and complaints reduced as cases were handled faster. As members of the body of Christ, we learn that we need helpers and mentors in order to keep strong in serving the Lord, and to enjoy increased peace. As a believer, prepare to lend a hand as a helper; be attentive to advice from a mentor near you.
God bless you all.