Day Eleven - It Is About You And Not About You
The day to day stretch of life and love and leadership requires so many daily decisions whether or not to show up! We held a small group tonight that I call ‘Girl Chats’ and this very topic came up. When to stand strong and bold in workplace witness, v. When to love and lead with a relational stance Not a principled stance. It was a real conversation about marketplace and mission, health care industries and true ethics and integrity. And I really loved it because it’s what these young professionals could be mindful of this.
And sometimes seasons of obvious favour can be even more difficult to choose to say yes again. Purely because we get comfortable, or the risk is larger. But we really do need to remember why we are taking bold steps into our future and it never ceases with us.
Both Moses and the daughters had a lot in common because they both knew the favour they would experience from God would not just be about them.
Exodus 13:33 And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people (and don’t forget this is your people and your responsibility)
It’s not just about you but it is about you!!
That’s a phrase people hear a lot around me – “It’s not just about you; but it is about you; but it’s not just about you!”
Moses says consider those around me too Lord – my family, community, city, nation….
I love this! As a mother, a wife, a leader, a friend.
We always have to remember that there are people in our world, both now and those who are to come who need to experience the favour of God.
The word entrusted is a greek word ‘Paratithemi:
‘To resolve in the heart & mind to lay down ones life for that which is near to you, or a place that you pass by…’
‘To be appointed something or someone as a responsibility from God’
It is the same word used of those men passing by the man beaten on the side of the road in the story of the Good Samaritan – they were all ‘appointed’ or entrusted with the opportunity to respond. But it is the Good Samaritan who responded to the situation that was entrusted to him!!
Luke 12: 48.“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”
I don’t know about you but I want to be a woman who knows she is entrusted and then be given more – though I know there is a cost.
The powerful thing about the word entrusted is that it reflects stewardship not ownership.
I love how Moses says ‘God they are your problem!’ and on some levels it’s a great way to approach life – acknowledge the important part that you play in their life and then commit them back into God’s care since they are His anyway. Stewardship doesn’t negate your responsibility to make a difference. It stirs you to make a difference knowing that you have been given the opportunity.
I know that as a Pastor it is always a great reminder that the church we are pastoring is God’s Church and we will be responsible for what we have been entrusted with, but we won’t assume ownership to the degree that God is not in control.
Hebrews 13: 13-15
So let's go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders,..share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of "sacrifice"—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
Wherever God is calling you; whatever He is asking you to take care of, we can remind God ‘these are your people’. God loves all of humanity. They are His .. so rather than carry all the weight and responsibility of them, we get to offer their lives back to the God who created them. Then you get heaven’s heart for them. They are yours to steward, God’s to own!
The amazing thing is that Moses had prayed for favour for all the people he was leading. A generation later these daughters stand before Moses and they laid claim on that favour. They stood there saying – ‘we actually know the nature and character and goodness of God and we believe He should give us the land even though the law says differently. Because we believe our family deserves a name to be carried on for generations to come.’
They stood in the favour of God and now they positioned themselves in the gap for others to experience the favour of God. As a result of their boldness a law was changed in Jewish custom for women and, in fact, for families forever.
Who are you standing in the gap for? Who are those you have been entrusted with? With your Bold Steps today why don’t you open your eyes to the world you have been entrusted with .. the shop assistant, petrol station attendant, girlfriend at the school drop off zone, colleague at work.. the list goes on.
And be bold – remember favour is not just about you
xo