“Moses’ father-in-law replied, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.'” — Exodus 18:17-20 (NIV84)

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, learned of the miraculous rescue of Moses and the Israelites, and he journeyed to their camp to return to Moses’ wife and two sons. While he was visiting, he observed Moses sitting on the judgment seat deciding on disputes between the people. It was a very important task. Godly justice needed to be practiced among the people, and who better to do it than their leader, Moses? It seemed right, but it was terribly wrong. Jethro told Moses that what he was doing was not right. He told Moses that he couldn’t be the judge of the land and be their leader at the same time. Moses’ call was to be the people’s representative before God and the messenger from God to the people. Jethro urged Moses to select good men among the people to be judges of disputes, so he could dedicate himself to God’s commands.

Moses needed to know where his place was. No one person can do everything. That’s why it takes all of us to make up the body of Christ. Even the disciples in the book of Acts needed to make a decision of what their role was when certain Gentile Christians complained that they were being overlooked at the daily distribution of food. Certainly the issue was important and needed to be addressed, but the disciples decided to appoint elders to look over those matters while they committed themselves to the Word of God and prayer. Each of us must find our place in the body of Christ and fill/fulfill it. If you’re getting burned out doing the work of the kingdom, then I promise you that you are doing too much. God has appointed others to do some of what you are currently doing. There is something for all of us to do. We only need to find out where we fit in.

May we all have the discernment necessary to know where we fit in the Body of Christ.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church