Monday, May 7, 2012

May 8, 2012

"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

A second mark of a good leader is he DOESN'T PANIC.

Moses found himself in a very difficult situation. He had led 2.2 million people, many of whom were not yet sold on his leadership, into a trap. Now his ability and authority were REALLY under attack! His critics were verbally attacking him and inciting the people against him.

As ominous as that was, it wasn't his biggest problem. The real threat was the elite Egyptian army that was riding down hard on them to force them back into captivity.

Facing simultaneous threats from within and without, it would have been easy for Moses to have panicked. But he didn't! He did what good leaders do, he led!

It is good to know that leaders don't panic but it is better to understand why he didn't.

Moses didn't panic because he knew Who he was following. This is another advantage of having a leader who follows God. He will know that if God led him into this trouble God will also lead him out.

Moses did not panic because he knew where he was going. God had called him to lead His people from Egypt to Canaan and they weren't there yet! So, Moses knew that God had a plan to get them out. God had led them out in order to lead them in so he knew God would lead them on!

Moses didn't panic because he was tuned into the voice of God not the voices of the critics or the sound of chariots. He was well aware of the situation but was more aware of the Supernatural.

Moses didn't panic because he saw the big picture. He didn't focus on the problem but looked at the problem in the perspective of the big picture. Good leaders see all the pieces and how they fit together.
A good leader follows God and a good leader doesn't panic.

My friend, John Maxwell, says "everything rises and falls on leadership". I have found that to be true in my life experience and it certainly seems to be true with a great leader like Moses. His faith as a follower of God kept him fearless in the face of attacks from critics and from chariots.

If you are a leader, how do you measure up to these two traits? Are you following God? Are you free of panic? If not, why not?

If you are looking for a leader, these are two traits to look for.

And, if you are evaluating your leader, how does he measure up?