unlikelyclay.com

My daily Bible reading is taking through Joshua.  I’ve always known he was a great leader, but as I have moved through the book, God has re-opened my eyes to some important leadership principles:

Joshua 7 - It doesn’t take much in your family, church, or organization to make something go wrong.  I like Joshua’s response - he prays first.  He identifies who is the problem - something leaders often don’t want to admit:  the problem is often who not what or how.  Then he deals with it.

Joshua 8 - A leader has to do strategy.  I love Joshua’s strategy here - he studies the situation, anticipates the reactions of his opponent, and devises a plan.  Great thinking!

Joshua 9 - Every leader will blow it - and Joshua does here.  He doesn’t do his homework.  The Gibeonites fool him.  But Joshua’s integrity holds - he doesn’t let the Israelites destroy them - but he keeps his promise and even goes to battle to defend them in Chapter 10.

Joshua 13 - Joshua recognizes that there is another chapter after him - there is still land to be taken.  Ever good leader leaves his successor a challenge to be conquered.

Joshua 14 - the spotlight shifts to Caleb - love his spunk!  At 85 he is asking for territory not yet conquered.  He believes he can take it!

Joshua 17 - the tribe of Ephraim whines - we need more land.  Every leader will face this - somebody needs more resources, somebody needs more space.  Joshua is brillant.  He tells them to be their own solution and positively believes they can do it!  Don’t feel like you have to be the answer to everyone’s problems!

Joshua 19 - When it comes time to divide the land - Joshua goes last.  That’s what leaders do - they go last!

God make me a leader like Joshua!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 8th, 2008 at 3:24 pm and is filed under leadership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.