River crossing

Life is full of transitions, from one bank of a river to the other side. When we transition as 7-year-olds to schooling life. When we transition from schooling life to working life. From singlehood to married life and parenthood. From one job or even one country to another. When we transition from being a follower to a leader. And when we transition from one leader to another.

Much as we may sometimes want, we can't stay still, or keep doing the same thing. This is certainly true at work. If, by the same time each year, we are doing exactly the same, and we are no more valuable to our employers or customers than we were last year, then we should logically expect (1) no increment, and (2) to soon be replaced by someone else who *has* used that year to grow.

This is also true of our spiritual walk. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the master of a household gave 1, 2 and 5 bags of gold respectively to 3 of his servants. The one with 5 bags multiplied it to 10. The one with 2 bags multiplied it to 4. The one with 1 bag just hid the bag in the ground and returned it to the master when the master came home.

The master commends the first two servants as good and faithful, and gives them more responsibility in his household. As for the third servant, he is admonished as wicked and lazy, and cast out of the household.

We are stewards of the time, energy and resources that God has given us, at home, at work, and in the church. These "bags of gold" are not ours to spend or even save. We have a responsibility to grow them for the master. And we are encouraged to show our faithfulness with small things, and aspire to be more, and take on more responsibility for the master.  

And that increased responsibility will lead us to the *next* transition/river crossing, and the next, and the next.

Whether in the workplace or in the ministry, increased responsibility often takes the form of assuming leadership. Sometimes that assumption of leadership happens to us directly - we become leaders. In fact, the apostle Paul urges every one of us to aspire to leadership as a noble goal (1 Tim 3:1).

As followers, we should aspire to leadership - not out of pride, but out of a spirit of servanthood. Offering practical help, being willing to go beyond our existing boundaries of responsibility, and stepping up to fill gaps. Leaders exist to serve their community, not for their community to serve them.

As leaders, we must identify, encourage and grow such new servant leaders! And when people accept the challenge to assume leadership, we humbly learn to work with these new leaders above or beside us.

The issue of leadership transition is a tricky one. Quite often, the transition happens because the situation has changed in some material way - there is uncertainty, complexity and volatility. On top of that, the new leader is, well, new. He or she is likely less experienced, possibly less skilled, and almost certainly *differently* skilled. 

So we do our best to surround the new leader with the right resources, advice and support. It isn't always possible, but often, this means having older leaders to provide continuity and institutional knowledge. But the older leaders also have to learn. Learn to submit to the new leader, make room for new ways of doing things, and exercise patience while the new dynamics take root. 

Team unity is important. Instead of line-drawing, land grabs or finger-pointing, both new and old leaders have to commit to collective success, and to make others succeed.

The account of Joshua and the crossing of the River Jordan in Joshua 1 and 3 is instructive.

Joshua 1 records the following: Moses has led the Israelites for decades, and he has passed on. The mantle of leadership has passed to Joshua, with the responsibility to lead the Israelites into the promised land of Canaan. But before that, he has to lead the people across the River Jordan. 

Joshua entreats the people - get ready! Take all your stuff, and prepare to cross. And you, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh - you've already received your lands, but follow me also - do not rest until all your fellow brothers have also received their inheritance in the promised land. And all these people, who had followed Moses, commit to follow Joshua too.

Joshua 3 records the actual crossing of the River Jordan. Joshua and the leaders of each of the twelve tribes of Israel wade into the river, holding the Ark of the Covenant. The crossing takes place at the flood stage of the river (Joshua 3:15), which means the river is fast and deep. It's treacherous! But Joshua and his leaders forge ahead. 

What happens next contains some incredible truths. The river immediately stops flowing! But, and this is important - *not where Joshua and the leaders are*. It stops "a great distance away" upstream (v16-17).

What does this mean? It means that, as far as Joshua and the leaders, and the people are concerned, the river is STILL fast and deep where they are. Joshua and the leaders have to stand in the rushing water for a long and scary time, buffeted by waves and debris. They have no way of knowing that the water has already stopped miles and miles upstream. 

If Joshua and the leaders hold on long enough, if they believe, then they will make a miraculous way for the people to cross. If the people keep the faith, wait patiently, trust and support Joshua and their leaders, then they will see the way open.

And they do. Eventually the water from upstream flows past them, and the whole nation crosses the River Jordan on dry ground.

Transitions are like that. The leader steps into the turbulence. He picks fellow leaders who will link arms with him, and help to stand with him against the turbulence. Deliverance is miles upstream, but it is coming, as long as the leaders and followers alike trust each other and hold on. Finally, the way forward is revealed. Everyone crosses. The leaders, who were the first into the water, will be the last out.

And even then, it's just the end of the beginning. After we cross - then we FIGHT the enemy. And now, the trust and unity that was forged in the patience of the turbulence is brought to bear. Now, we've learned to fight together. Now, we can fight effectively. Now, we WIN.

I have been blessed with many good leaders all these years. They courageously went in first, and stood in the rushing water. Often, I only had to wait and watch and trust. I never thought I would be strong enough to be one of them. But because of their example, I was encouraged to aspire to be more. So I decided to wade in with them. To stand in the gap for others, and wait for God to open the way. 

I have made many mistakes. Sometimes I wasn't standing close enough to link arms with the people in the water. Sometimes I dragged people into the river too early, before the way was open. Sometimes I was swept away. But it has been an ADVENTURE, filled with purpose, fueled with God's power. And I know that if I choose to stand in the gap, just like those who went before me, then God will use me to open the way for others. Then we will cross. Then we will fight. Then, together. We. Will. Win.

[Lessons from church conference 2022]