In this series of lessons (one, two, three ) from Joshua we are considering Joshua’s characteristics that made him a strong and usable leader for God’s Kingdom work.
This post will take a look at Joshua’s ability to see the Big Picture.
In Joshua 1:2-5 (HCSB) God gave big picture to Joshua FIRST:
“Moses My servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses. Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great Euphrates River—all the land of the Hittites—and west to the Mediterranean Sea. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you."
How easy is it for you as a women’s ministry leader to keep the big picture of what God is doing in and through the ministry He has called you to? When ministry gets hard, it’s easy to lose focus and forget why we do ministry. We tend to think when things aren’t going smoothly then we should turn another direction. Actually, sometimes that’s the case. But other times it’s the enemy seeking to roadblock God’s assignment in your life and ministry. And then it might just be immaturity on the part of some of the women you lead causing the problems.
No matter what the reason is, if God has clearly led you and called you to lead women, then even when it’s hard, you must remember what He called you to in the first place. Do you remember the excitement of leading women to accept Christ as their Savior? Of sharing the Word and seeing understanding in the eyes of the women you taught? Watching a group go on a mission trip for the first time and never being the same again? Helping a woman walk through a troubled marriage only to see it saved as you prayed and journeyed together?
Do you see the big picture of discipleship that makes it worth it to serve in tough places? If you are discouraged, go back to what God called you to do initially. Get the big picture of His Kingdom work in mind, then ask Him to help you stay true to that calling as you face obstacles in His power and for His glory.
Resources:
Called to Be God’s Leader: How God Prepares His Servants for Spiritual Leadership, Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
Is God Calling Me, Jeff Iorg
