father-in-laws and other helpful people

Scripture Passage That Caught my attention Today: Exodus 18:17-23 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God; 20 teach them the statutes and instructions and make known to them the way they are to go and the things they are to do. 21 You should also look for able men among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain; set such men over them as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their home in peace.”

Observation: Sometimes people from the outside can provide valuable feedback. In this case it was Moses’ father-in-law who came through.

Application: It has been said that self-evaluation is the best evaluation, and in many ways I think that’s true. Taking an honest, unabashed look at ourselves often provides a great opportunity for improvement. But in so doing, we would be well-advised to include the view of others in our data. In other words, sometimes we need to see ourselves as others see us to be able to discern if we are really accomplishing what we feel led to accomplish—and if not, why not.

In the passage above it is clear that one of the things that Moses wanted to accomplish was justice for all the people. But it took an outsider to help him see that, if he really wanted long-term justice, he was going to have to change his tactics and develop a system—indeed a network—of people to carry out this important work.

In that regard it is somewhat disconcerting to ponder how many things in my own ministry should probably be done differently. But then again, within those ponderings lay opportunity to think differently and perhaps act more wisely in joyful response to the depth and breadth of the call of ministry.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for the myriad of ways that you can teach us to better follow you and your call on our life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Exodus 17-20 and Acts 3)