There is a misguided notion about leadership that I have learned through the experience of trials. I am not sure where I heard this myth, but it was a belief I held until life events redefined what leadership is in God’s economy. So, what is this belief? It is the notion that when God calls one to leadership in ministry, that calling negates opposition and deep personal trial. It is as if the calling itself says something about the leader and their ability to be used by God. Maybe those called by God to serve in leadership would not verbalize this, but ministry leaders can think they have been called because they have something to offer spiritually that others might not.
When my husband and I graduated from seminary and began our first church assignment, we thought we could “save” the world. As Pastor and wife, we began the task of leading a church body with the idea that it was up to us and that we had something to offer that this church body needed. Don’t get me wrong. I believe the Lord intended us to offer something to the body of Christ, but I have found in my latter years that God planned to do more in my own heart and that I had much more to learn about leading and serving His Bride.
Fast forward thirty years, and let me speak from a grateful heart of one who has experienced opposition and deep personal trial. The idea that because we were called by God and placed in leadership positions in His church, we should not go through deep trials and opposition is a foreign concept in the Scriptures. Such tools are the building blocks to transformed hearts and effective ministries. While reading about the exodus of God’s people out of Egypt, I realized that God has been using trial and opposition in the lives of His children for some time now. In fact, the story of what Moses and the Israelites went through as a result of many trials and opposition has given me great insight into how God shapes His leaders.
Full disclosure here, I am not a leadership expert. There is much out there to read, and I am not suggesting that one should not read many excellent books on leadership. My hope is to share with others what the Word of God has shown me about the very real and raw path to servant leadership. When we read the story of Moses and God’s calling on his life, we find that God used opposition all along the way.
Opposition is not something we enjoy and is typically not the path to sanctification we would choose. Since we would not choose it, we may think God would not use it in the lives of His children. Yet, opposition constantly followed Moses despite his obedience to God’s instructions. Exodus 3: 10-22 tells us the story of Moses’ mission from God in leading the Israelites out of Egypt. These verses give us a perspective on the opposition we may face as leaders in ministry.
Notice that God painted a picture of what would happen as Moses obeyed His instructions. God told Moses what to say giving him the promise that Israel’s elders would heed what he told them. God promised to bring the Hebrews up out of the affliction of Egypt to a land flowing with milk and honey. It all sounded terrific until God said, “But.” This word was not one that God spoke to caution Moses, but one spoken as a sign of God’s sovereignty and as a part of God’s plan for His people.
“BUT, I know that the King of Egypt will not permit you to go except under compulsion. So, I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all my miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and AFTER THAT, he will let you go.” (emphasis added) Exodus 3:19-20.
God explicitly told Moses that even as Moses acted in obedience, Pharoah would not let the people go. Here is a powerful perspective to have as a leader: Even when we do precisely what the Lord calls us to do in obedience, opposition from others can still come and be used of God to carry out His purposes. Interestingly, when Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel and told them what God had spoken, they did heed what Moses said. The scripture said they “bowed low and worshiped.” It seemed they accepted the word of the Lord through Moses and Aaron but only until circumstances seemed to contradict what God had promised. Or, at least, that is their perspective as Pharoah neither let them go nor provided straw for making bricks. Their response was not to go back and clarify what the Lord had spoken to them through Moses, but to lodge a complaint based on the belief that they might be killed in the sight of the Pharoah’s servants. Moses, God’s chosen leader, did return to the Lord to lodge his complaint.
“Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did you ever send me? Ever since I came to Pharoah to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, and You have not delivered Your people at all.'” Exodus 5:22-23
It is somewhat comforting to see one of the Bible’s most significant leaders need a change in perspective and a lesson in trust. We, as leaders, desperately need this as well. God had already spoken to Moses about what would occur. It may not have been specified, but it was clear that Pharoah would not let the people go except under compulsion. Opposition was not what Moses and the people expected. Maybe Moses believed that all would be smooth sailing since God was the Who called him to this task. Maybe Moses believed his thoughts about leadership and had to be taught differently through the fire of experience. Maybe Moses and the others forgot God’s word to them: “AFTER THAT.” Maybe we forget those words too. We must remember that God told Moses what Pharoah would do when Moses made his request, but something had to happen first, and then AFTER THAT, Pharoah would let them go.
What had to happen? God would act in such a way that His hand and glory would be seen. God would “stretch out His hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it.” You have to read further in the story to see one of God’s purposes in acting in such a way. Exodus 7:3-5 tells us that God would harden Pharoah’s heart so God could multiply His signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. God would act so the Egyptians would know He was the Lord. The judgment would be by God’s hand alone. Not only would the Egyptians see this, but Moses would as well. As God’s chosen leader, Moses would gain a powerful perspective on obedience.
One powerful lesson we can learn from the life of Moses is obedience will not negate opposition. Opposition can and will be used for the glory of God as leaders respond in trust to the promises of God. Let us, as leaders, embrace this perspective as we face opposition and wait for the “After that.” God’s glory is worth the wait!
As a result of what we have learned, my husband and I want to encourage others who may still be in the midst of trial and uncertain of what to do or how to respond. We desire to help others establish a biblical perspective on ministry and a renewed perspective on what this can look like for servants of God as they fulfill His calling. We will offer more on a renewed perspective of leadership based on our own trial and opposition. Please check out our resulting ministry called Remember the Way at hometoheartministry.com
Great reminders!