Exodus 16-18

Have you ever felt like the weight of the world lies on your shoulders? I remember watching a skit where a man spun plates on top of 3 ft rods. As a narrator spoke over the man's life introducing additional responsibilities, the man added plates for each one. By the end of the skit the man is running back and forth in a fury from plate to plate trying to keep each of them spinning, trying not to let any of them fall. But finally it becomes too much, and the plates all fall. The man is left stunned, as broken as the plates over which he now stands.

Today there were two instances where Moses is taught that he can't do it all. As Joshua battles the Amalekites, Moses raises his staff above his head. As he maintains the staff's raised position Joshua is able to prevail, but as the hand grow tired and the arms begin to fall, the Amalekites begin to overpower the Israelites.

We also learn later that Moses has taken on the responsibility to mediate as a judge for the people. And Scripture says that the people brought before him cases from morning until evening. I have heard there were over a million Israelites being lead by Moses in the wilderness. I can only imagine how many cases were piling up on his "desk."

But from both stories we learn something. In the first story, God provides Aaron and Hur on the mountain to help Moses as Joshua fights in the valley below. It seemed a little odd that Aaron and Hur never take turns holding the staff while Moses rested. Instead, this task was for Moses and Moses alone. Aaron and Hur though provided the necessary encouragement, resources, and support while never taking over Moses' responsibility. This story reminded me today of two people who are serving as my Aaron and Hur. I have a lot on my plate even as I type this blog. They are tasks that I alone must do... read lots of pages and write a research paper for class and prepare and speak at a DiscipleNow all of which is to be done by Friday of this week. These are things that my Aaron and Hur can not do for me. But they have really stepped up their encouragement, resources, and support for me during this time and I am very thankful for them. They are my shot in the arm as I continue to press on.

You may be going through some things also you alone must bear, and you know that there are ones who have come along side you to encourage, strengthen, and support you during this time. Take a moment today and thank God for your Aarons and Hurs. Then take a moment and thank those people personally for being there with you through your challenges.

Maybe you are one of the ones helping out a friend in crisis, you long to remove the burden from your friend but you can't, yet today remember how valuable you are, and even be strengthened by this story in Exodus to remain at your friend's side until victory has been achieved.

In the second story however, Moses' responsibility is self-induced. Judging the people was evidently something that he took on by himself when he could have asked others for help. His father-in-law comes to him and points out Moses' self-centered leadership. And so following his father's advice, capable men are found to relieve the burden... leaving Moses to handle only the major issues. Jethro was right, "You will surely wear out... you cannot do it alone."

Moses learns the lesson of delegation. Some of us probably need to be reminded of this concept today. I know there are lots of things that hold me back from delegating responsibilities to others. I would rather handle it all, than chance something not getting done as I would like. This is due to my pride! So often I think I have the corner on the best way to accomplish things. I am a perfectionist. The only problem is... when I heap everything on myself, I end of doing none of them well because I have become stretched too thin. I become like the man in the skit. And often I have stood metaphorically over my broken plates frustrated and personally broken over my failures. When all the while, I could have sought out those capable men and women to take on some of the load.

As of yet I have not formed a leadership team for the youth ministry at my church. I have tried to do it all. And already I am realizing that I can't. This passage has reminded me neither will I be able to do so nor am I expected by God to do so. I am challenging myself to assemble a team soon. Let's see if I can learn from Moses' example.

You may be in the same boat; take the advice of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, and seek out partnerships. If you don't you will surely wear out and you will not "be able to endure," especially when unexpected circumstances arise. I know one of my biggest faults is that I never plan for the unexpected. Yet the unexpected always comes... and unexpectedly at that! Those are the time when the plates wobble the most.

Or, maybe today you are the resource someone else is looking for. If there is somewhere or some way in which you know you could help out, let that someone know. That person may have been looking for an individual like you for a long time now. Take steps today to offer your time and resources.