God Gives By Ed McDowell

God Gives and Equips Leaders with Everything They Need

Here is a reflection for leaders to consider how they view and hold the work God gives them. Consider the outstanding accounts of scripture or stories from history where God is working His will into the world. You will find how consistently He does it.

God Gives the Vision 

Our God reveals what He is going to do. Remember Noah’s call to build the Ark, Joseph’s rise to power in Egypt, and Moses’ assignment to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? These are three examples where God reveals what He is going to do. It is God’s vision and plan. And it comes with a declaration of what He will bring to pass.

As we think about leadership today, we would do well to consider that vision does not begin with us. Instead, God initiates the vision of what He will bring to pass.

God Gives Big Assignments

• Build an ark.
• Prepare a nation for seven years of famine.
• Lead a few million people out of bondage to be set free from their oppressors.

These were all significant jobs that required dedication and adherence to detail.

We need to understand that God will give us significant tasks beyond our abilities and talents. We will need to trust God and have good people help us along the way.

God Gives Provision 

He always ensures you have what you need to do the job. 

• Noah had plenty of resources and a family to help him build the Ark.
• Joseph had the favor of Pharaoh and all the resources of Egypt at his disposal to prepare for the famine.
• Moses had the signs and wonders of God, along with a trusted companion, to take on the mighty Pharaoh and the ruling power of Egypt.

No matter the size of the job God gives, He does it with the promise of adequate provision.

God Gives Capacity

He provides the required capacity to attend to many details with faithfulness and diligence over a long period of time.

• Details of the Ark, designed to house animals and people for an extended period, took years to design and build.
• The storage of resources to last for 7 years of famine led to the development of large-scale construction and storage management. This was followed by 7 more years of controlled distribution.
• Moses’s Life, tending sheep as a backdrop of preparation to help the people sustain themselves during years of wandering and waiting in the wilderness.

Much of God’s work requires faithful diligence to systems and details, done over extended periods of time.

God Gives Opportunity

God always creates an opportunity for salvation and restoration. He invites us to be part of it. This is always the way of God. He gives the vision, leadership, provision, and capacity to complete the task. The outcome is that people will come to know God and return to a right relationship with Him forever.

When it comes to Jesus, think of the vision God had. Consider the extraordinary task assigned to Jesus. Think about the provision of God along the way. Consider the detailed faithfulness demonstrated through the disciples and the body of Christ throughout the centuries. All for the accomplishment of salvation and reconciliation.

Prayer

Father God,

May we prioritize your vision through Christ in everything we do. Help us to take a fresh look at the work you have called us to do. Thank you for the significant tasks you give us. They are much more than we can do on our own. Thank you for being faithful to provide for our needs to fulfill your vision. Please help us attend to details and remain faithful over time. Thank you for drawing people to you for a new life!

In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray,

Amen

Note: I am grateful to God for the Holy Spirit, people, and resources that are bringing fresh focus to these truths in this journey of leadership together.

Ed McDowell is the CEO of Warm Beach Camp Ministries. He also coaches and consults on board leadership and development, bringing fresh perspectives to complex situations. Ed authorizes a devotional series titled A Well-Planted Faith in an Uprooted Culture. His writing and speaking aim to challenge people to let God’s Word inform their lives. Ed and his wife, Bev, live on Camano Island, Washington, where they live out their mission statement: “To give our lives away for the cause of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible.”

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