Leading Like Moses: Embracing Selfless Service in God’s Plan

Leadership, in many ways, embodies the spirit of overcoming challenges, charting the path through the fiercest storms with the eventual hope of bathing in the glow of triumph. As human beings, our hearts yearn to witness the fruits of our labor, to savor the tangible outcome of our trials. Nevertheless, the biblical narrative of Moses in Deuteronomy 3:23-28 presents us with an alternative model of leadership, one that doesn’t guarantee the accolade of victory to those who have braved the battle.

Moses, who lead the Israelites for over four decades, exemplifies this unconventional leadership. Poised on the brink of the promised land, Moses weathered trials and tribulations, steering the Israelites faithfully toward God’s promise. Yet, God’s decree was that Moses himself would not tread the soil of the promised land. His final mission? To encourage and equip Joshua, his successor, who would usher the Israelites into their awaited homeland.

From a worldly vantage point, this scenario might seem unjust. Why should the one who has poured his heart and soul not partake in the fruits of his labor? However, this dichotomy captures the essence of the leadership that God often calls us to. He beckons us to labor and battle in life’s arenas where we may not witness immediate or personal rewards. The fruits of our struggles might be relished by others or even succeeding generations.

The question that arises is whether it is fair to work without receiving recognition. However, this question is based on our limited understanding as humans. God’s timeline is beyond what we can comprehend as fair. He calls us to use our efforts for the greater good, even if we do not directly benefit from it, as He directed Moses. Moses’ unwavering loyalty not only led to his own victory but also paved the way for the success of future generations, including Joshua and the Israelites, who would claim the promised land. We, as members of the church, owe a lot to Moses since his work laid the foundation for Joshua to establish Israel, from which Jesus, our Lord and Savior, would emerge.

This selfless, faith-driven labor is often mirrored in the church. We strive, we battle, and often we don’t behold immediate rewards. However, we may fail to perceive that God is summoning us into a struggle not for instant gratification but for the advantage of the subsequent generation and the advancement of God’s kingdom. Our steadfast faith sets the stage for their victories.

Such circumstances can occasionally trigger feelings of disillusionment. After all, why strive if we don’t taste the rewards? What we often fail to recognize is that God utilizes us in distinct ways to combat battles we may not even be aware of. He may be employing our efforts now to pave the way for someone else’s triumph down the line. While this may seem unjust from our confined perspective, we are summoned to trust that God employs us exactly as we are meant to be used.

Similar to Moses, we may not always perceive the end results of our journey. We might merely catch a glimpse of the victory from the mountaintop, but that’s alright. The key lies in trusting God and His grand plan, understanding that we align with the winning side as we grapple for the Gospel and God’s kingdom.

Moses’s narrative in Deuteronomy serves as a beacon for all of us to remain steadfast, even when the fruits of our endeavors are not immediately discernible. We are called upon to play a role in victories that we may not personally witness. In essence, we are urged to perceive leadership not as a pursuit of personal glory, but as a selfless act of trailblazing for others, placing unwavering trust in God’s overarching plan.

“At that time I begged the LORD: Lord GOD, you have begun to show your greatness and your strong hand to your servant, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours? Please let me cross over and see the beautiful land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon. But the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. The LORD said to me, ‘That’s enough! Do not speak to me again about this matter. Go to the top of Pisgah and look to the west, north, south, and east, and see it with your own eyes, for you will not cross the Jordan. But commission Joshua and encourage and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit this land that you will see.'” (Deuteronomy 3:23–28, CSB)