S. Numbers 11:10-17 (NIV) 10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? 13 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”
16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.
O. I wonder if Moses might have been saying, “This isn’t what I’ve signed up for.” Moses gets somewhat emotional and has a bit of a complaint about the the problem of “complaining people.” (I love it.. he complains about their complaining). Moses felt like he was just about ready to die than to have to deal with these people (perhaps these problem people). He uses such language “did I conceive these people?… did I give birth to them? .. can I carry them? can I feed them?”
I often refer to this as “The Messyness of Ministry.” Dealing with and/or leading people is no easy task. However this “messyness” comes with the territory. People in the Bible are often referred to as sheep and I have learned over my years that sheep are not really that clean, that is - they can be messy. So it really is what “we signed up for.” However, as one person so wisely once said, “work smarter not harder.”
God understands this and does not intend leaders to “lead alone” or on “empty.” God will resource leaders. He will raise others up to help share the burden. This is what He did for Moses and I believe He will do the same thing for each leader who is dealing with some “messyness.”
A. I have been blessed in my years of ministry as I have witnessed God raising up leaders who have helped me or are helping me in leading God’s people. The work of shepherding is not made “less messy” rather, the work load is shared by other leaders so that it’s not all centered on one person and thereby the leadership is more effective in dealing handling the difficult times as well as the joyous times.
P. Thank you Father for calling me to Pastoral leadership and thank you for provision in that calling. Thank you for raising up other leaders who come along side me and help me to effectively and wisely manage your work and your people. Holy Spirit continue to fill me and guide me to wisely manage and share the various areas and aspects of leading the messy areas of ministry. In Jesus’ name!
