Taking Our Seat

“The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge…When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing…he said, ‘Why do you alone sit as judge? What you are doing is not good. You…will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone’” Exodus 18:13-17.

I can just picture Moses leaning against a boulder out in the desert. He leans on his staff to support himself as he comfortably prepares to take his seat and judge the crowd. One by one disgruntled and complaining people form a line hoping to have Moses side with them. They present their argument to him and he plays God. Jethro, his father-in-law is visiting and witnesses this sight. He looks at Moses in disbelief and asks the obvious question, ‘What are you doing? Why are you judging all of these situations? Don’t you have more important things to do with what God has given you? This is not good because it only leads to exhaustion and loneliness.’

We’ve all been there and some of us are still sitting atop that boulder. We feel entitled to certain self-appointed roles and lose sight of the impact it has on both our spiritual health and the health of those around us. We declare this about a certain situation and we take a stand on that issue, all the while taking our eyes off of the God appointed tasks for which He has created us. We meddle in areas that were never meant for attention, and we lack attention in the areas where God intends us to focus. Just like Moses we need that Godly counsel to approach us in love and wisdom and point out the obvious. I know I’m grateful for Bruce for this blessing. There have been times when he has questioned certain actions or decisions and challenged me to reconsider…to reexamine…to regroup.

When someone comes to us in love and concern we must have an open mind and heart to receive their wisdom and discernment. We must learn to see certain situations outside of ourselves, and accept that the work of judging will wear us out, and is too heavy a burden to carry. If you have a Jethro in your life, thank God for that person. If you don’t yet have one, lift a prayer to God for Him to send someone to you. We were never meant to experience life alone…we have the Body of Christ to help us. I love the song by Ten Avenue North.

“No man is an island, we can be found
No man is an island, let your guard down
Please don’t try to fight me, I am for you
We’re not meant to live this life alone
Through trouble, rain, or fire
Let’s reach out to something higher
Ain’t no life outside each other
We are not alone”