‘The thing…you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out.’ Exodus 18:17-18 NASB
Led or Driven
Are you Led or Driven? Do you feel like there isn’t enough of you to go around? Like you’re on the cliff’s edge and about to go over? Perhaps because you’re doing much more than God intended you to do. You see when God reveals His purpose for your life, He also gives you His power to carry it out. Usually it’s simple and remarkably sane. One of the surest ways to know you are walking in God’s will is that you will feel led, not driven.
Are you resting less and working more? Are you praying and reading your Bible less and worrying more? Maybe, like Moses, you’re dashing from one appointment to another: eating on the run, meeting deadlines, and trying to solve everybody’s problems while your own pile up. Others may have been impressed, but Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, wasn’t. ‘What is this thing…you are doing…?’ he asked (v. 14 NASB).
Not surprisingly, Moses became defensive. Too-busy people usually are. He attempted to justify his schedule, but Jethro didn’t buy it. Instead, he told Moses, ‘The thing…you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out.’ And what did he tell Moses to do? Shift gears and start sharing the load! (See vv. 22-23.) Then he bottom-lined it: ‘That will make your load lighter…you will be able to stand the strain’ (vv. 22-23 NIV)
Over worked and over stretched ? Your not the only one. Following on from Word for today
Exodus 18:17-18 (NIV) says:
“17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, ‘What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.'”
In this passage, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, observes that Moses is overwhelmed with the burden of judging and leading the Israelites all by himself. Jethro advises Moses to delegate responsibilities to capable individuals, which will alleviate the burden on him and ensure that the people are better served.
God’s calling for Moses was to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, guide them through the wilderness, and eventually bring them to the Promised Land. However, in this specific instance, Moses was not effectively fulfilling his calling due to the overwhelming workload he was shouldering.
God’s intention for all His people is not to be burdened or driven to the point of exhaustion. Instead, He desires for them to rely on Him, seek His guidance, and work together as a community, utilizing their unique talents and gifts to support one another in fulfilling their collective purpose.
In a broader biblical context, we can find other verses that emphasize the importance of seeking God’s guidance and relying on Him:
1. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV):
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
2. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV):
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
3. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
4. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV):
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
God calls us to rely on Him, trust His plans, and seek His direction in all aspects of life. When we align our actions with His will and work in harmony with others, we find purpose, peace, and strength to fulfill our callings without being driven to exhaustion. Through prayer, seeking wisdom, and acting in love, we can be instruments of His grace and reflect His goodness to the world.
