A snap-shot of leadership from Joshua...

Perspective is a beautiful thing.

Perspective can help us see something in a brand new way. It can give us the ability to realize we need to make an adjustment. What it can't do, on it's own, is implement the change. For that we need more.

We need a process for our perspective.

Sometimes that process is specifics based on a plan we fully understand.
Sometimes that process is walking in faith based on a plan God has called us to, 
that we are yet to fully understand.

Both are valid.

I want to hit on the latter today. The moment that seems way bigger than anything we can tackle. What do we do as leaders when we are faced with those moments?

Do you remember the time when the Israelites came face to face with a situation that was WAY bigger than themselves?

Joshua 3 tells the story.

Every person in camp was given a simple instruction. Follow the guys in charge when you see them move. If you do, you'll see what you need to do. And just to make sure it's interesting...this is what they are told..."You've never been on this road before". We're about to see why that is an understatement! Joshua looked at his leaders and said "...step out before the people." 

Have you ever been there as a leader?
You know in your heart you are being called to "step out and lead" differently than ever before. 
You also know that is feels like you have more questions than answers.

So what do you do next?

We have a choice...

Stand on the edge of the river bank, or jump in.

That is exactly where the priests who were carrying the Chest of the Covenant found themselves in Joshua 3. Standing in the midst of unknown, in front of the God of the Universe...calling them to do something that seemed crazy.

Jump in...and stay in!

The promise...

"When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the Chest of God, Master of all the earth, touch the Jordan's water, the flow of water will be stopped-the water coming from upstream will pile up in a heap. And that's what happened."

And when they obeyed?

"And there they stood; those priests carrying the Chest of the Covenant stood firmly planted on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground. Finally the whole nation was across the Jordan, and not one wet foot."

I love it!

The process seemed crazy, outside of faith in what God was calling them to.
The perspective to walk in to the situation differently would not have been possible, outside of their willingness to trust God obediently. 

If you are in leadership for longer than 5 minutes, at some point you too will be called to stand in the middle, on behalf of those who are following you.  The priests took the first step in, stayed in the middle until everyone had crossed, and were the last ones to walk out.

In first...in the middle of the challenge...out last.
That's solid leadership.

Why?

"...so that everybody on earth would recognize how strong God's rescuing hand is, 
and so that you would hold God in solemn reverence always." (That is the last verse of Joshua 4)

That's solid stuff.
That's solid leadership.
That's our opportunity as coaches.
That's our opportunity as leaders.

Where is God asking you to stand today?
What situation do you need to stand in the middle of today?
First in, last out.

One last thought...

What challenge are you wiling to stand in the middle of, 
so that someone else can receive the miracle they are in need of?