You Are the One in Trouble Now

After the death of Moses the Lord ’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. (Joshua 1:1, 2 NLT)


The story is told about how FDR, in order to replace his unpopular incumbent Vice President, Wallace, worked so hard to persuade Harry Truman to be his running mate in the 1944 presidential election. Truman eventually accepted reluctantly . However, shortly after the election, he was summoned to the White House to meet Eleanor Roosevelt where she informed him that President Roosevelt had died. Surprised, Truman asked the new widow, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Eleanor shook her head, responding, "Is there anything we can do for you? For you're the one in trouble now."

Leading, while it may come with certain perks, could often be correctly likened to stepping into the trouble zone, yet the world perpetually need people who despite the challenges, relinquish their rights to take otherwise less demanding paths and take on the rein of leading in various institutions and settings.

The deluge of leadership books, conferences and seminars everywhere these days attest to this. Homes need strong leaders. Churches are yearning for effective servant leaders. The nation needs less politicians and more leaders. In the business world, top dollars are invested for leadership development and acquisition yet there is still a gaping vacuum.

But the need for leadership while very stark now is not new. The advancement of God's purpose in history has always hinged on men and women who take on the leadership challenge. In our text today, God presented Joshua with that challenge. He was to be God's next man to lead his people into the promised land. A leader was needed and Joshua was the choice.

Simply defined, leadership is the ability to successfully influence others to join in accomplishing specific objectives. These objectives don't have to be big but they must be meaningful. Everyone can therefore be a leader. You can be one too. The world so much needs leadership that all are urged to apply.

Like many unknown individuals such as the rescuer who plunges into the pool to save a drowning child or Rosa Parks who chose to sit tight on the bus thus sparking a civil rights movement, many suddenly have the burden of leading placed on them at a moment's notice. Today, leading might just be a decision away from you too. Will you take on the challenge when it comes? When the situation advertises "Leader Wanted" will you turn in your application? Will you accept the call like Joshua did?

Decision of the Day

I understand that the world needs leaders. God needs leaders. I choose to volunteer myself to lead if I am called upon. I will watch out for leadership opportunities and take them on no matter how small or daunting they may seem.