I am hearing from a number of you and that is very encouraging. Keep sending feedback and correspondence. It is so good to know that we are being a help to you. Plans are getting finalized for the trip to
No grants have come yet, though, I was finally able to hear from a foundation that I have been desperately attempting to contact. The husband of this family foundation called me last Friday and we had a wonderful conversation. He asked that I send the grant proposal to a place where they will be spending the summer, which is only a short drive away from Rhinelander. They live in
JOSHUA’S ATTITUDE WITH MOSES
AS HIS LEADER/BOSS
Many spiritual leaders will not necessarily be the top leader of a business, church or organization. Most of us will and do serve under someone. How we handle ourselves in those situations will speak volumes about who we are.
Joshua served under the command of Moses for about 40 years. He was Moses’ young aide (Exodus 24:13, 33:11), serving Moses in a number of capacities including commander of the army (Exodus 17:8-14). Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent to check out the
Joshua was passionate about taking that land. Both Calab and he tore their clothes when everyone else did not want to go into the
I imagine Joshua thought seriously about quitting his position in Moses’ administration. He would have had excellent reasons for stepping down. How demoralizing is it when your superiors do not take your thought through, prayed through advise and make a decision that puts the organization, church or business in a major tailspin. How often could Joshua have thought, “If Calab and I grab the young people who will enter the
No where do we find Joshua grumbling or causing dissention. He faithfully served Moses for the next 40 years, allowing Moses to mentor and develop him into the next leader of
It even took Joseph 13 years to go from being a slave to the number two most powerful man in the world. In those 13 years, there was a lot of garbage thrown at him.
What sustained Joshua and Joseph? The bottom line was their relationships with God. Numerous places from Genesis 37 to 50, the Bible says, “the Lord was with Joseph”. In Exodus 33:7-11 talks about Moses having the Tabernacle tent pitched and then he would go in while Joshua would wait at the entrance of the Tabernacle tent. When Moses would leave to return to the camp, Joshua would stay, wanting to be as close to the presence of God as he was able. This occurred frequently. Both Joshua and Joseph knew God was sovereign and in control of all things.
Joshua’s relationship with God is what sustained him over those 40 years, banking on the promises he was given by God. What does that say about the character of ordinary people like Joshua and Joseph? Volumes!
It is much easier to complain and not deal with the source of conflict than to get things right. Most definitely there are times to talk to the head person and express your thoughts and feelings. That meeting needs to stay there, not become a public display. There are also times when one needs to move on, leave when all other avenues have been exhausted. One of the hardest things to do in life is to move on well. Far too often, we try to blow up, sabotage whomever and whatever we can as we are moving on. That is not Biblical.
As Christians, let’s pray we can be like Joshua in situations like these.
