Leading People Where they Need, not Where they Want

Scripture: And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose...Exodus 32:25

Observation:   A study in contrasting leadership. Moses is up on the mountain with God, pleading for him to not destroy the people. While he is doing this, the people are down below, building a golden calf to worship. Who is leading the people to build the calf? Aaron, left in charge by Moses. On the one hand, you see Moses, a leader willing to do what the people need, not necessarily what they want. On the other hand, you see Aaron, willing to do what the people want, not what they need. The result is that 3,000 men were killed that day and a terrible plague fell on the people. All because Aaron failed to lead people to where they needed to go. 

Application:   Daily, I get to choose to lead like Moses or Aaron. I can go for the easy wins by playing to people's wants, or I can fight for the hard victories, helping people with what they need. The key to knowing the difference lies in time with God and prayer for the people. Moses genuinely longed to shepherd the people and fought for them with God. Seem things are worth fighting for. The people of God are one of them. I need to listen to the voice of God, spend time with him hearing his word, and pleading on behalf of the people. Then I need the courage to lovingly do what is right, not what is easy.

Prayer:   God, give me the courage of Moses. Give me the shepherd heart of Moses. Let my passion always center on what the people need, not just what they want. And give me the leadership to do this well.