Keith Welch: No longer able to lead?
The Denver Zoo had a difficult decision to make a while back. They were offered the gift of a beautiful polar bear. The problem was there was no existing room to adequately house the bear.
The Board of Directors were in the middle of a fundraising campaign to renovate, so they changed their strategy to include a magnificent habitat for the polar bear in their plans.
The bear was put in a small, temporary cage until the proper facility could be built. The temporary space was so small, the bear could only take three steps one way.
Unforeseen delays in the construction meant it took three years for the bear’s new home to be completed. It was spacious, containing waterfalls and caves. The bear entered its new home, looked around, then took three steps, turned around, took three steps back.
Over time, we may have the tendency to get into ruts. We become people of routine following certain patterns. We watch our favorite shows, listen to certain kinds of music, hang around certain types of people, go to specific places to shop, and even drive predictable routes to our destinations.
Some people contend those are not ruts but actually positive because they bring order to our lives. Some drivers follow a route when going places. If there is road construction along a normal route, we might feel it causes undue stress, time and change to our lives. But when the repairs are finished we are usually pleased with the improvement it has made.
I have found much of life is like this. We often do not see the benefits of change until much later.
The Israelites became accustomed to one leader during their wandering years. “Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: ‘I am now a 120 years old and am no longer able to lead you.’ The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.” (Deuteronomy 31:1-2)
There are some situations where we might feel it is going to be a bad day. A wife commented to her husband, "You look tired, dear, did you have a bad day at the office?" The husband replied, "I'll say. I took an aptitude test, and believe me it's a good thing I own the company!"
There are at least seven areas about our lives and God’s expectations that can be gleaned from scripture:
First, GOD WANTS US TO SUCCEED (Deuteronomy 30:9). “God will outdo himself in making things go well for you.” Scripture teaches us this lesson throughout.
Second, GOD DEMANDS OUR ALL (Deuteronomy 30:10). We are instructed to obey and keep his word with our whole heart and soul. Christianity is not a half-hearted life. “Being” is more important than “doing.” Who you are in Christ is more important than what you do for Christ, but who you are in Christ will also determine what you are able to do for Christ.
GOD PUTS THINGS WITHIN OUR REACH (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.” God’s word is very near to us. We are to read it, memorize it and live it.
GOD HAS A TIMETABLE FOR EACH OF US (Deuteronomy 31:2). We are not living life according to our schedule. Are we responsive to God’s timetable?
GOD GOES BEFORE US (Deuteronomy 31:3). “The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you.” God always proceeds our day preparing the way for us. This is why prayer is important as we seek God’s direction for our day. We move with confidence knowing God will take care of every situation or help us to handle anything which comes our way. Go each day in God’s strength. He has wonderful plans for each of us and has worked out all of the details.
GOD WANTS US TO BE A DEPENDENT PEOPLE. The Bible speaks of being totally dependent on God. He teaches us this truth through Christ: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Do not just lean on Jesus, but place your complete weight upon him trusting him for every single detail of your lives.
GOD HAS GREATER THINGS IN STORE FOR US (Deuteronomy 30:20). “… For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years. …” God has greater things in store for you. I just can't wait to see what God is going to do next!
We do not always understand things in the same way or view things the same way. But this doesn't matter. All that really matters are: How does God see it? And are we going to follow his lead?
— Keith J. Welch is a resident of Holland. He has an MFA in creative writing and is a retired Salvation Army Major. Contact him at Keith.welch16@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Keith Welch: No longer able to lead?
