Don’t Miss Your Appointment

Written by Joyce Simmons

This is the second in a four-part series for ministry leaders who feel wrung out, stressed out or burned out.

We who are leaders have a passionate zeal toward fulfilling our God-given appointment. Our passion causes us to run tirelessly, but eventually every leader will hit with sudden force against a wall of disappointment.

Faced with confusion and feeling the heat we must make a choice – to regroup and hear God’s plan or retreat.

In the first article in this series, we identified this place of heat and bareness the “back side of the desert,” and we began to look out Moses’ desert years and how God met him there. Now, we will look at camping place in the back side of the desert called “Disappointment Valley”

“Dis” means cut off or set apart. Leaders who choose to stay in the valley will be separated or cut off from their appointment! They choose to ignore God’s restoration fire and hold onto burning resentment and disappointment rather than seek God’s healing and restoration.

Moses learns to follow the Leader

Moses received his assignment to go to Pharaoh and take God’s command to let His people go. Moses didn’t go depending on his previous position or great communication skills. He brought God’s Word and truth all that was needed to bring victory. Moses gained new revelation as he realized God was his source.

Moses’ leadership changed and during the life circumstances to follow, never wavered from what God told him. As he faced obstacles and discouraged people in the desert, he simply sought God and brought truth before the people. Turning his heart and passion toward God and being committed to following His truth allowed Moses to lead an entire nation to freedom. How could Moses have dreamed of fulfilling such a task until he entered into a new and amazing relationship with God? In this he discovered God could do the impossible if he was willing to follow the true Leader. He discovered the meaning of the old saying … “God’s love is like the Amazon river flowing down to water one daisy.”

Where does your success come from?

In leadership as you face inevitable disappointment, evaluate how much of your success depends on your gifts, talents and abilities. Is your dependence more on these than on God’s truth? Do you spend more time strategizing with others than listening to the voice of God? Are you able to release your goals, hopes and visions and know He is able to do exceedingly more than you could think?

• Look at the past: Has disappointment been a barrier that has kept you hostage?
• Look at the future: How will staying in the valley of disappointment affect your life and others?
• Look at the present: How can I regain the intimate relationship with God today?

Let go and let God renew His peace and passion. Let Him begin to lead you out of the back side of the desert.

Next – Part 3: Go to the Mountain, Even if You Have to Go Alone