MODEL THE WAY

It's a patience test sitting in the hospital waiting for your turn. That's what I am feeling right now. I think I have gotten better over the months but still room for improvement. Hospital is not my most hospitable place to visit. I do have some silly thoughts whenever I visited the hospital.

This morning I was put to a test. There were two ladies playing games on their mobile. They didn't have the courtesy to lower down the volume. The sound was very irritating that I feel agitated. Sometimes I wonder why people could be so inconsiderate, so impolite. I was having a racist thought - underneath my breath - I was screaming "Chinese...rude and inconsiderate!!" Even as I write this post I am still hearing the irritating sound. I told my dear wife that I should play a computer game right now and put full blast on its volume. As usual my wife objected to it and said that I should be patience. There...I am learning another lesson.

While waiting patiently, I was reading a book "Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge.” It was easy reading. Actually, I was reading this new book that I ordered from the States to help me in my development of leadership course for the church. Let me quote:

"From our examination of these cases, as well as through the analyses of empirical data from tens of thousands of our Leadership Practices Inventories, we've discovered that regardless of level, place, discipline, style, race, age, gender, religion, or personality, leaders exhibit similar behaviors when they guide others along pioneering journeys. Although each case has been unique in its expression! we've been able to detect a similar pattern to leaders' actions - a pattern we call The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. We've found that when performing at their best, leaders (1) Model the Way, (2) Inspire a Shared Vision, (3) Challenge the Process, (4) Enable Others to Act, and (5) Encourage the Heart."

I find the book very intriguing and challenging. I think I have found some gold nuggets on leadership principles. I must not follow the crowd but instead I must model the way. So, there it goes...my wife is right again!!

ELIM, THE PLACE OF REFRESHING AND REJUVENATING

Exodus 15:26-27 - saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water.

The Word of the Lord is very reassuring to the children of Israel but it comes with a condition too. The text said that only if they will LISTEN DILIGENTLY and ACT RIGHTLY then they will live in health. Sometimes it is easy to claim the promises of God because it is very plain but to actually see the fulfilment of the promise of God requires obedience - listen carefully, and act accordingly. Now, that’s the difficult part.

But here, God’s Word is sure – “I am the LORD, your Healer”. The Healer is the Lord himself - the one and only High God and there is none other. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deut. 6:4). The only great big wonderful Father in heaven is also our Healer. I believe God desire to see us living in health. He desire to see us not plague with sickness. Look at the Israelite during the 40 years in the wilderness – no sickness, no worn-out clothes and shoes. It’s a miracle. I believe God wants us to be healthy, to be freed from sickness, and to be free from the power of sin in our lives. But we have to listen diligently and act rightly.

The wonderful thing we notice is that right after the promise of a free-from-diseases promise God led them to a place called Elim. Not only was the Word of God reassuring but the provision of God was immediately felt when he brought them to Elim “where there were 12 springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the river.” Elim is a place of refreshment, a place of renewal and rejuvenating from the heat that comes from journeying towards the Promised Land. I believe that when we learn to walk humbly before the Lord; quick to listen diligently, carefully, and intentionally we will experience the leading of the Lord to the place of quiet rest. That’s where we find quietness and confidence, that’s where we find strength. I believe that when we walk humbly before the Lord by acting and behaving rightly according to the laws of the Lord we come into godly wisdom, and godly wisdom will lead us to the “Elim of God” where we will receive refreshment. Acting rightly is not acting conveniently, not acting to please someone but living life before the Lord and everyone else according to the standard and rules of God.

We can experience the shade of the palm trees as we journey in life’s harsh wilderness and the penetrating north wind of adversity. We can enjoy the water-holes, the springs that quench all thirst and refreshes us from the hot and dry south wind of disappointments. Yes, we can. All we have to do is to walk in obedience to the commands of the Father and the leading of the Holy Spirit through the love of His Son Jesus Christ with humility – listen diligently and act rightly!

God bless.