“Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’”

“Why is it,” comedian Lily Tomlin asks, “that when we speak to God we are said to be praying but when God speaks to us we are said to be schizophrenic?” Dallas Willard.

At this time, in these circumstances, Moses and Aaron knew God’s mind; they were aware of what God wanted. When you have such an insight it tends to give you a boldness to be able to speak to people – those inside and outside the church. They may or may not listen; they might or might not like the content of your message. But you have the courage to speak it regardless.

This is a crucial element of Biblical leadership. We need to so position ourselves that we are in a place to hear from God should He choose to speak to us. We are not asked to come up with our own clever strategies for growing the church. It’s not about going to a conference and picking up a brilliant idea from someone else’s context and then trying to make it work ‘here’. Of course we can learn from other churches and leaders, and I think we should want to, but our essential call is to walk with God.

As God leads you, He may not give you the whole map, but if He let’s you have even a fragment showing you the next step it will be sufficient.

As I reflected on this I thought about those from “Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” 1 Chronicles 12:32.

May all church leaders be in their tribe!

Thought: “Few people arise in the morning as hungry for God as they are for cornflakes or toast and eggs.” Dallas Willard.