The Law of Process Part 3

Moses’ Test of Time – Exodus 2:1-4:31

How did God prepare Moses to be His man to lead the Hebrews out of Egyptian bondage? He prepared him not in a day, but over time; not through an event, but with a process. Of course, others before Moses waited years for God to fulfill His leadership development process:

  • Noah—waited 120 years before the predicted rains arrived.
  • Abraham—waited 25 years for a promised son.
  • Joseph—waited 14 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.
  • Job—waited perhaps a lifetime, 60-70 years, for God’s justice.

God prepares leaders in a Crock-Pot, not in a microwave oven. More important than the awaited goal is the work God does in us while we wait. Waiting deepens and matures us, levels our perspective, and broadens our understanding. Test of time determine whether we can endure seasons of seemingly unfruitful preparation, and indicate whether we can recognize and seize the opportunities that come our way.

Pictures of Growth – 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Paul, the Pioneer and leader of the Corinthian church, had trouble hiding his disappointment. The members of this church were acting like babies rather than adults (1 Cor. 3:1-3). No doubt he had to remind himself that leadership development is a process, not an event.

Paul desperately wanted competent leaders to rise up within the church, leaders who were healthy, strong, and able to make decisions without his help. Paul gave them three pictures to illustrate how God wanted them to grow:

  1. The church is a family—the goal is maturity (vv. 1-4)It is natural for children to grow physically with  age. This should also be true spiritually. The marks of maturity are what you eat (vv. 1,2), what you do (v. 3), and what you say (v.4).
  2. The church is a field—the goal is fruitfulness (vv.5-9)It doesn’t matter who planted or who watered; the point is, are the plants growing? Fruit includes the results of your work, the response of your people, and the reward of your fulfillment.
  3. The church is a building—the goal is quality (vv. 9-23)We are like a building. The measure of a good structure is quality. This includes the right foundation (vv.9-11), the right materials (vv. 12-17), and the right motives (vv.18-23).

Join me next time for The Law of Process Part 4.