We Need Each Other - Exodus 18
I appreciate Jethro. He brought Moses's wife and kids out to be with Moses, and he took the time to sit and talk with Moses. He ended up honoring him and encouraging him. They thanked the Lord together, they ate together and they made a sacrifice to God together.Had it not been for Jethro and his wisdom, Moses may have continued to try to do all "the stuff" by himself. Instead, Jethro made a suggestion for Moses to set up trustworthy men as judges so they could resolve ordinary cases. This would free Moses up to decide on the more complicated or important cases. This would make the people happy because they wouldn't have to wait, and this would free up Moses' time so he would not burn out. Wise words to be sure, but did you catch the little phrase in verse 23?"
23 If you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."
I'm talking about "and if God directs you to do so". Jethro may think he has a great idea, but he encourages Moses to seek God about it.
I'm finally on the last few chapters of the book "Why Men Hate Going to Church" and there is powerful wisdom in there. This morning, I read a similar concept to what Jethro is describing about the concept of "spiritual fatherhood" and how it's woefully lacking in today's churches. The author, David Murrow, suggests setting up a solid foundation based upon this concept of spiritual fatherhood and gives an example of how one church in Texas did it. They set up the pastor over 12 men, then each of those 12 men over 12 men, and so on. One person interviewed had a "lineage" of 108 men and he knew them all by name and knew when one was in trouble and responded individually. This church is growing by leaps and bounds and there is no typical "gender gap" (where a church is usually comprised of a majority of women) and men actually enjoy coming to church.
Our pastors were not meant to do everything. Men need to step up in the church and become the leaders God intends them to be (and in their homes as well). Men want to follow God, but we've created a woman-targeted environment in our churches that simply turns men away. That's what I love about Wildmen Ministries - encouraging men to step up and assume their rightful positions. That's how we're going to change the world.
We need each other, and as it says in Ecc 4:9-10, "Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble."
Pray for your pastor today, men. Pray to understand your role in all this.
peace,
e
