[Spirit of Leadership] PreparationSample

Test of Patience

To be a leader, you must pass the test of patience; this is the most important test. After Kadesh Barnea, Joshua and Caleb were required to journey with the Israelites for 38 more years, stuck between Egypt and the Promised Land. The Israelites received manna and quail. God gave them water. He preserved them, their clothes, and their shoes. Day after day, month after month, week after week, year after year, for 38 years. 

Joshua had to pass the test of patience in the wilderness in order to inherit his promise. He had to walk with all these people until they died. He had to stay in the funeral parlor of the wilderness before he could get to the victory in Canaan. The waiting room is a prerequisite to effective leadership. You will never be a leader until you learn how to wait on God. What you do in the waiting room will determine when and how the door opens for you into the promise. 

Remember, Moses had to wait for God to separate the Red Sea. For an entire night, Moses had to wait as the wind of God blew the sea back. King Saul did not wait. He took it upon himself to perform the sacrifice Samuel was to perform, and lost his kingship in the process. God chose David to be king instead. Abram did not trust God enough to wait until the promise was fulfilled. Sarah gave him her servant, Hagar, and he had sex with her. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael. We are still feeling the effects of that sin. What a mistake! God was going to open Sarah’s womb and do a miracle, Isaac was on the way, but Abram couldn't wait.

It is not easy to be in the waiting room. We hate it when God says, “Not yet. I’ve got something good coming, but not yet. Wait on Me.” 

What do you do in the waiting room? First, get ready. God has you there so you can prepare, so that when He opens the next door, you will be ready to go through it. Second, hope. Build your hope. Let it flourish. Third, listen. There’s going to be a time when you exit the waiting room, so spend your time listening until He opens the door and says, “Come on, I’m going to use you for My glory.”

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