getting them to go along with you

(Numbers 5-10)
Hobab didnt want to go. He didnt want to go along with Moses and the others to the Land of Promise. He wanted to stay home–where it was safe, comfortable, where nothing ever changed and nothing ever would.

But Moses convinced him to go. He said, “Please dont leave us. You know all the best places to camp–we NEED you. Please come with us, you wont regret it!” And so Hobab went with them, that’s how convincing Moses was.

Why? Why did Hobab choose to go along with Moses? How did Moses convince him?

Three things:
FIRST, Moses told Hobab how valuable he was. Moses made Hobab feel like he was an essential part of the operation; made him feel like he was needed–which he was.

SECOND, Moses told Hobab how gifted he was. He told him how great of a scout he was. Again, how much he was needed–how much his gifts were needed.

THIRD, Moses told Hobab what was in it for him–what reward lay in choosing to continue on–beyond the comfortable, familiar and into the promised yet unknown future.

Any one who’s a leader out there knows how it is, getting people to go along with you. Seeing a future for an organization, being fired up about it yourself, but how do you you fire them up–how do you convince them to go along with you?

Moses knows.
1. MAKE THEM KNOW THEY’RE NEEDED.
2. LET THEM KNOW THEIR GIFTED
3. AND ASSURE THEM THAT IT WILL BE WORTH IT.

And then they might just go along with you.

leadership

Jeremiah 21.1–24.18
Was their ever a time when leaders werent questioned? Is it part of the office? The standing up on the pedestal, looking down?

The intoxication of power–the fame, the celebrity. The Founding Fathers werent chosen b/c they were handsome–check out a single … Washington was no Brad Pitt. He was rugged, a soldier–Mt. Vernon is his wife’s house, right?

We watch skeptically as our leaders smile and charm us into believing we are headed the right direction–they always have since the television was created. First it must’ve been simply who was willing to lead, then who could give a good newspaper interview–FDR’s deep baritone in tune with the rhythm of the crackling fire. Billy Graham in black and white before the masses. Nixon sweating profusely.

LEADERS–Jeremiah’s words would convince anyone in the same situation to say, “I do NOT accept yr nomination.”
Knowledge, power, influence–be it political, religious, social–maybe it’s not so much humility as fear that keeps me from the pedestal. They may push, shove, imagine me up there–and as a pastor, I know the congregation looks to me for leadership, guidance … but look to yr left, yr right. Not before you, not above you … but with you.

Others out there must appreciate the power–relish the power. They stand up on Sunday, using God as the excuse to force feed their flock with some political agenda.

I have no hidden agendas. I feel passionately about some things. But I dont dare say that I have the inside access to the mind and the will of God. I will not lead with such blind naivete. It’s been getting people into trouble since way before even Jeremiah’s day.

Mutual forbearance.

This is why I like being Presbyterian.  It’s called mutual forbearance—right there near the front of the second part of our Church’s Constitution.  The understanding that sometimes we will not always agree on every matter.

But at least we talk about it.  We air out our differences.  We listen to one another.  We respect one another.

That’s what I lift up in the process of voting on Amendment B.  The dialogue.  The passion.  That willingness to address difficult issues that some out there say are so clear cut, but really arent.

Constantly being reformed by the Spirit.  That’s what else we call it.  The willingness to follow the Spirit where it leads.  The Bible is not a closed book on all matters.  It’s a living Word, breathed by the Spirit, which we engage when we read and talk about it—with which we wrestle as we wrestle with difficult issues.

And so Amendment B fails.  The question of who’s fit to lead, still on the table where it will not be removed—it will come for a vote again.   And we will forebear on, Spirit by our side.

You can read more about it here: PC(USA) – Presbyterian News Service – Church leaders write in response to amendment voting

In the wilderness, a choice.

Choose some wise, understanding, and respected people from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.  ~Deuteronomy1.13

Wise, understanding, respected.

Just as the people elected leaders in the wilderness, so too do we.

Early this morning, in the dark, standing in line within the Firestation.

A sign for rookie firefighters advised—You are not superman.

Good advice for anyone.

The door opens and a woman shouts—the polls are open!

Someone let out a cheer.

Our vet was first in line—I cannot say for certain if he ever sleeps—too much good to do in the world.

Our neighbor wasnt far behind.

A young man talked to his pastor behind us.

Religion and politics.

I had to remember to go by my first name—something that I only do in elections and credit card statements.

Of the four people I told my first name, one called me Allen.

I had to wait.

Then—the ballot.

I dont know if it’s just our precinct or the state or what have you, but we get to draw lines.

Complete the arrow pointing to the candidate you choose.

I removed the cap and paused.

Wise, understanding, respected.

In the wilderness of economic uncertainty, where wars rage across the ocean, in a few hours children will sit down in public schools for another day of learning—babies will be born, new saints will join the community of heaven, and tomorrow will be another unseasonably warm day—in the wilderness, the Israelites chose their leaders; in the wilderness, we choose ours.

God give them wisdom, understanding, and respected, as I gave some my vote.

Take good care of it.