Don't Be The Magic

Being the magic, isn’t it awesome? When things really need to get done, you step in as the one person who can and will make it happen.  Just like Moses, as he led the Israelites through the desert, and, ultimately to the Promised Land.  Sounds good on the surface or in the beginning. But the problem with being the magic is that when you leave, the magic leaves. The magician is a prisoner of his own talent. Not necessarily a good thing.

 As you read through the chapter of Exodus, you’ll find Moses was the magic until a very wise Jethro set him straight.  Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law. He witnessed the people of Israel bringing all their issues and disputes before Moses, who would bring judgment in these matters. He would be fully engaged from “morning until evening” just to be judge over all the people – and there was a lot of them!

 Jethro recognized that this was not sustainable by one person and told Moses to equip leaders within the Israelite community who would learn to listen, teach, and judge, much like Moses.  In time, these leaders would be chosen to manage the affairs of the people, and only bring the most difficult of circumstances before Moses. 

 Jethro taught Moses that he could not effectively be the magic, certainly not in the long run.  He needed to spread the magic – by teaching and equipping other leaders. It became one leader, developing leaders who led leaders to lead. Spreading the magic, not being the magic. That’s leadership!

 Quite honestly, many of us like being the magic.  Or we simply don’t trust others being the magic. It’s a failing leadership philosophy either way.  None of us will ever be as good as all of us. Well equipped people can accomplish far man than one very exhausted magician.