After the Exodus, Moses found himself responsible for a whole nation of people. He was the leader, judge, pastor and prophet of his people and it was threatening to wear him out. When Moses’ father-in-law visits him, he is alarmed at what Moses is trying to do. He even boldly tells him that what he is doing is not good. Jethro advises Moses to delegate his tasks to a group of 70 elders, which Moses does. The most important tasks of life and ministry are tasks that can only be achieved when the job is shared. Serving God is a team business. You cannot, and should not, try to do it on your own. Often, we get far too attached to a role or a task. We can tend to draw our identity from what we do which then makes us disinclined to share that task. If I get my sense of identity from what I do, then to share the task is to diminish my identity. This is one of the greatest obstacles to the effectiveness of the Christian community. We are designed to work together, to share the task, to share the responsibility and to share the joy of success. This is what we call ‘body ministry’ (i.e. 1 Corinthians 12). When this happens effectively then no one person can take the credit for what happens. Actually, God gets the credit because he is the one that brings together the right combinations of gifts. Learn to share tasks. It is best for you and it is best for everyone else.
Are you drawing your sense of identity from what you do? How can you share the tasks you have been called to?
Read Exodus 18
