Wednesdays with Moses

Read Exodus 17:1-4 – Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people contended with Moses, and said, “Give us water, that we may drink.” So Moses said to them, “Why do you contend with me? Why do you tempt the Lord?” And the people thirsted there for water, and the people complained against Moses, and said, “Why is it you have brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!” (NKJV)

Nearly every leader understands the pressure of unrealistic expectations. No matter how much you give to help others, it seems to never be enough. And when you’ve given all you can only to hear people ask for more, well, that’s not an easy moment to endure. Understandably, Moses’ frustration is nearing a breaking point and soon will lead him to make a tragic decision. But did he have to let this moment overwhelm him? At what point did he become responsible for the people’s provision? Isn’t God still in charge? When you’ve felt the high expectations of people you serve, you can certainly understand how the moment got to Moses, but a better solution for him (and for us) is to remember who is really leading us. God is our Source. As long as we think we are leading the way, we will feel the pressure to be more than we can be. But when we let God guide us, He proves capable of what we could never deliver. Remind yourself that God is in charge today and don’t let unfair expectations steal the peace in your heart.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.