Many leaders want to climb the career ladder and hope that power and freedom await them at the top. They don't yet see that leadership demands more sacrifice and renunciation than they might think.
Leaders who want to rise must give up some of their rights. This is true for every leader, in any profession. The higher a leader rises, the more they must give up. Effective leaders give up a great deal. That's a good thing, because it lets them devote themselves to what is best for the organization.
Leadership demands constant renunciation. It is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing. Circumstances may differ from person to person, but the principle stays the same: leadership means giving things up.
What price is a leader willing to pay to become a more effective leader? Many leaders are so busy pursuing their vision and mobilizing their people that they give this little thought. But leadership always requires sacrifice; no one succeeds without giving up certain things.
Moses and the Law of Sacrifice
How was Moses able to give up so much and make such great sacrifices without growing bitter or resentful toward God? And what made him willing to return to Egypt as God's servant, after he had enjoyed the best the land had to offer? A brief look at Moses' life shows how God shaped him into an effective leader.
1. Moses was alone with God.
If Moses had stayed in Egypt, would he have heard God when God called him? Who can say? But Moses' exile in Midian gave him 40 years to reflect. When God finally appeared to him in the burning bush, Moses had become quiet enough to hear God's voice. Leaders in our time take too little time to be alone with God. Most seem to be constantly on the move and rarely come to rest. If this description fits a leader, they should change their habits and make time to be alone with God. They shouldn't force God to send them into the wilderness to get their attention.
2. Moses was honest with God.
When Moses met God at the burning bush, there was no trace left of the arrogance from his life in Egypt. He knew his weakness. When God told Moses that he would lead the people out of Egypt, the tested man replied: "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). Only as an older man, humbled before God, could Moses be of use to God. The Lord can use any leader who honestly examines themselves, admits their weaknesses, and humbles themselves before God.
11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
3. Moses was hungry for God.
What does it take to make someone truly hungry for God? It's different for everyone. Some long for God from childhood on. A personal tragedy can reorder others' priorities. And some never turn to God at all. For Moses it took four decades in the wilderness. Could Moses have given up all hope of doing anything meaningful with his life before God finally spoke to him? Probably so. A person cannot firmly trust in themselves and long for God at the same time.
4. Moses was broken by God.
God did not force himself or his will on Moses. God waited for Moses to come to him willingly: "And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses!" (Exodus 3:4). As soon as Moses had turned toward God, he could experience a life-changing moment. Such a breaking process involves two things: the removal of misplaced pride and self-confidence, and the building of a healthy trust in God. God tamed Moses' self-confidence and pride in the wilderness, but to build trust, he had to break the man's fears. Moses faced various kinds of fear in his encounter with God:
- Fear of himself. Moses doubted his own worth (Exodus 3:11). God answered him that he would be with him and confirmed his calling.
11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
- Fear of God. Moses was afraid of who God might be. He wanted to get to know his name and his character (Exodus 3:13). God answered with his presence and I AM THAT I AM.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
- Fear of others. Moses then worried how God's people would react (Exodus 4:1-5) — hadn't they already rejected him? God answered by empowering Moses and demonstrating his power.
1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.
2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
5 That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
- Fear about his abilities. Moses doubted himself, his ability to speak (Exodus 4:10) as well as other abilities (Exodus 4:13). God answered him by giving him a partner, his brother Aaron.
10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
After his pride was broken, his fears overcome, and his purpose confirmed, Moses finally placed himself in God's hands.
Life is full of compromises — but a leader can only make a compromise when they are able to give something up. Moses had to give up his status and his material possessions to prepare for his life's task. And then, to fulfill it, he had to practice sacrifice once again. The second time, he gave up the security and safety of the wilderness in order to return to his childhood home.
If a leader has the desire to lead — if they hope to find and fulfill their God-given purpose — then they must be willing to sacrifice. They will grow and take on more responsibility. But they should know: they may have to give it up at any time, in order to follow God's call.