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T O D A Y G O D I S F I R S T
Marketplace Meditations
by Os Hillman
Thursday, September 9, 2004
The Way of God
If My people would but listen to Me....
Psalm 81:13
God has a specific training ground for leaders. There are three patterns
of preparation that have been common among most of God's leaders. First,
there is a time when the leader is separated from his old life. Consider
Moses, Joseph, Abraham, and Paul. In order for God to mold and shape
them into His nature, it appears that He had to remove them from the
life of comfort. A teacher once said, "You cannot go with God and remain
where you are."
Next, there is usually a time of solitude. God often brings leaders into
a time of solitude in order to speak to them without other distractions.
Hosea 2:14b says, "I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to
her." Paul was sent to Arabia for two years for a time of solitude.
Joseph spent years in the solitude of prison. Moses spent 40 years in
the desert herding sheep.
The third characteristic of God's preparation for leaders is discomfort.
The setting in which the preparation takes place usually is not a place
of comfort. Abraham traveled through the difficult deserts. David lived
in caves fleeing Saul. Paul was frequently persecuted.
Are you ready for the classroom of leadership preparation? If God
chooses to bring you into this class, you may have one of three
reactions to the events. First, you may say, "I don't need it." Perhaps
you know intellectually that you do need this, but God wants you to know
it in your heart. Pride prevents us from entering this classroom. The
second reaction may be, "I'm tired of it." You decide you've had enough.
If so, this will disqualify you from leadership. Finally, God's desired
response from us in this preparation is, "I accept it." To accept it
with joy is the place of maturity in Christ. God often keeps us in these
places until we come to accept and agree that Jesus is enough. Is He all
you need?
Like the people of Israel, I think we have something to do with the
timetable of our education. "If My people would but listen to Me, if
Israel would follow My ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies
and turn My hand against their foes!" (Ps. 81:13-14)
Are you ready for the process required for being a godly leader? Ask for
His grace to willingly embrace these times of preparation.
Do you need a Marketplace Mentor?
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Listen to a video message from Os Hillman
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Published and distributed by Crosswalk.com, this daily devotional is
written by Os Hillman ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Os is president of
Marketplace Leaders, an Atlanta based ministry teaching Biblical
principles for career and business success. He offers a FREE newsletter
and other resources at:
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