Has there ever been a time when you felt that hope was gone? Like you were at a dead end with nowhere else to go? Israel found themselves there and yet God made a way. 2000 years later, hope was once again gone. Yet God made a way. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is now alive in you. The big question for most of us, is not did Jesus rise but will you rise? If I really believe God raised Jesus, how does that change tomorrow?

Moses has received the Law from God on Mount Sinai. While he was away Israel grew impatient, and the people with Aaron present, “accidentally made a golden calf.” God is angry. Moses is angry and the people are in trouble. When Moses comes down from the mountain he asks Aaron a very pointed question. “What did these people do to you, that you would lead them into such great sin?” Aaron’s real sin was not that he led the people to do this, but that he did not lead them to stop. The role of the Shepherd is to lead the people where they need to go, not where they want to go.

Leaders often find themselves in a place where they are forced to take on other baggage. The question then becomes as a leader, what do we do with what we have been handed? How do we handle it faithfully, lovingly and help the person without it becoming a burden to you. This is the position Moses finds himself in, leading Israel through the desert.

First and foremost the Shepherd is a man called by God to lead the people. For Moses, the call from God comes in the form of a burning bush on the backside of the wilderness tending sheep. Moses’ response to the call was a whole list of excuses as to why he was not qualified to lead these people. God assures him of two things, one he is not getting out of this and two he will be with him. The strength of the shepherd comes from God’s ability.

What tasks consume most of your life? My guess is the tasks you send the most time on are the things you find security and identity in. What if security could be found somewhere completely unexpected? And what you assumed the security was protect was something entirely different as well? See I believe the answers to both of these questions could lead to a deeper, richer faith than you could ever imagine. But to warn you, it will be risky!