Be strong and very courageous... Joshua 1:7 (NIV)
Leadership is always challenging. If you're a leader with years of experience, it still can cause sleepless nights and manic days. But the challenges of a new leader to take up the mantle from a veteran can be frightening.
Joshua, at the age of eighty, is not necessarily thrilled to be the leader of people who, for most, if not all of their lives, had wandered around in the desert in a somewhat aimless fashion. Yes, they were on a journey to the land that God had promised, it seemed to be taking forever.
Moses had spent forty in the desert before he took up leadership of the people, so he was a desert expert. He knew the landscape, he had journeyed and walked around the wilderness with the sheep for forty years and then spent another forty with the human sheep who consistently strayed. He had been a leader as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. From an early age he knew what it was like to be in charge. He may have been born into slavery, but had never experienced it. Unlike Joshua who was born and slave, and had experienced the tyranny of slavery for forty years.
Slaves are not thought to be natural leaders. Slavery often has made them bitter and angry. Slaves who are leaders can replicate the behaviour of their former slave masters and are often resented by those they seek to lead.
But Joshua knew his God, loved his people and unlike Moses, had not just seen the Promised Land, he had walked there, talked to the people and tasty of the goodness of the land. He had experienced the Promised Land.
Yet he remembered the rebellion of the people, forty years before. He recalled the curse that was placed on all of those who were older than him and he wept at the memories of burying friends and family in the desert. And suddenly all his faith and trust in the God that had always fulfilled His promises dissolved. He literally feels the strength leave his legs as he collapses in a heap.
'Be strong and courageous' in the mantra that accompanies the call of Joshua. God knows the enormous task ahead of this new leader of His people and he gives him the 'pep' talk and encouragement that he so desperately needs. He sees the potential in him. It's been there for the past forty years and more, but he also knows his heart - that at times he would slide into a pit of despondency because of the people's complaints, stubbornness and rebellions. So, he whispers words of peace, constancy and reassurance.
Just as the Father spoke that mantra to Joshua, all those years ago, He is there with you to speak words of peace and comfort t as you take on the responsibilities of your day, of your family, of your life.
Leadership today is no less challenging than as it is now. As a leader you are often called to lead those who constantly complain, those who are stubborn and the followers who rebel. You will often feel like giving up, throwing in the towel, or attempting to retaliate. You may end up huddled in a corner, or weeping into your cup of tea. Or, it you may find yourself writing your resignation, opting for early retirement or requesting an easier assignment.
Remember your call, and your purpose and that the God who called you, is the same One who will give the strength and courage to carry on.
Father, leadership in any field, isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Discouragement can be accompany us at every step. Thank you that each time, we want to give up You, who gave us our purpose, who called, commanded and who will enlarge our territory, whispers, 'Be strong...take courage'.
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