Exodus 18.13–27: The Spirit is for all (Day 66)

Pray

Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.

Read

Exodus 18 Luke 21 Job 36 2 Corinthians 6

Daily Reflection: Exodus 18

The new nation of Israel is coming into existence, and its institutions have to be created from scratch. Everyone has questions, there's much to be decided and Moses feels he's the only one who can do it. He makes himself permanently available, and his wise father-in-law Jethro sees that he is on the edge of burnout. Moses is wise enough to follow his advice, and devolves his responsibilities to others. It says a lot for Moses and those he chooses to act in his place, and a lot for the people, too; they are willing to accept that God does not only speak through their leader.

Some people are comfortable with a lot of responsibility; others, not so much. Even those who are can come to feel that they're indispensable. In the long term, that's not healthy either for themselves or for the organisation – a church, a business, even a country ­– that they're running. In families, too, the burden of planning and decision-making can fall disproportionately on one person when it should be shared with a spouse, or when wider family or friendship networks could help.

In Christian circles we tend to look to leaders to take decisions for us; after all, God has called them to their role. But Jesus says that he is with the 'two or three' who come together (Matthew 18.20), and at Pentecost the Spirit came on all the disciples (Acts 2.4). In Scripture, responsibility is often shared.

Pray

God, help me to realise that I'm not indispensable, and that you use others as much as you use me. Help me to lay down responsibilities when I need to, and pick them up when I need to as well.