These can be very tough times for leaders. It can as though there is one roadblock after another. Problems may seem insurmountable. What leaders need during this time is perseverance. In fact, they need all the time. You cannot be a lasting leader without it.
Today, utilizing the life of Moses as an example, NorthStar Church senior pastor Mike Linch did a virtual lunch-and-learn on the relationship between leadership and perseverance. I want to share his thoughts with you.
The following are 12 Leadership Quotes On How Leaders Can Persevere During The Coronavirus COVID-19:
- Leadership doesn’t stop. You actually see leadership more during these times than when times were good and “normal.”
- We’re all navigating in the fog.
- The great news is God has gone before us and already paved the way.
- If you think in leadership is going to come easy, you have not been in leadership very long.
- God has not use someone in leadership very long who has not learned to persevere.
- You are where you are today because of perseverance.
- Sticking Power – that’s what perseverance is. You just don’t quit.
- Moses had a vision to deliver his people from oppressive Egyptian slavery. It was not only Moses’s vision, it was God’s vision.
- Pharoah would not listen because of a hard heart. Sometimes perseverance in our life is develop through the stubbornness of others… Sometimes our prayers can’t be answered because they’re not ready.
- God was revealing Himself as the one true God by sending 10 plagues.
Exodus 12:12 (ESV)
…on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.
11. The plagues fell on all the areas of life that were supposed to have been protected by Egypt’s gods. Ever plague was an answer to one of their gods. There were about eighty major deities in Egypt, all clustered about three great natural forces of Egyptian life: the Nile River, the land, and the sky…. The first two plagues were against the gods of the Nile. The next four were against the land gods. The final four plagues were against the gods of the sky, culminating with the death of the firstborn.
- The Nile turns BLOOD RED – Exodus 7:14-24
- FROGS everywhere – Exodus 7:25-8:15
- GNATS everywhere – Exodus 8:16-19
- FLIES everywhere – Exodus 8:20-32
- LIVESTOCK decimated – Exodus 9:1-7
- BOILS break out – Exodus 9:8-12
- A deadly HAILSTORM – Exodus 9:13-35
- A LOCUST invasion – Exodus 10:1-18
- Three days of DARKNESS – Exodus 10:21-29
- The angel of DEATH – Exodus 11:1-10
- After 6 months and 10 plagues, Moses finally led his people to freedom.
12. God never wastes our time and wastes our experiences.
Mike added 13 lessons we can learn about perseverance from Moses?
- As spiritual leaders wait, they hold onto their integrity. Leadership is moving people onto your agenda. Spiritual leadership is moving people onto God’s agenda. Its God’s timing you are working for.
- Moses did things by the book – God’s Book… During the Plague of Flies, Pharaoh offers to allow sacrifice to God “within the land” or “in the wilderness, provided you do not go very far away,” but Moses does not compromise. (8:25-27, 32). Prior to the Plague of Locusts, Pharaoh seems to be willing to let the men sacrifice, but not the women and children. Moses does not compromise (10:10). During the Plague of Darkness, Pharaoh seems willing to allow all the people to go and worship, but they must leave their flocks and herds behind. Moses does not compromise (10:24-26).
- What is my willingness to God to not compromise? As leaders, we understand the pressure to compromise… Are you willing to do it God’s way or is it easier to compromise?
- As spiritual leaders wait, they look to God’s Word. They understand they can’t do it without God’s Word. Moses said Exodus 9:13; 10:3 (NIV) –“This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says:” Moses knew God’s voice. Those who walk with God always know His voice.
- Moses obeyed God even though things were getting worse!
- Perseverance is developed through resistance. As we get resistance, God grows our character.
- Circumstances and Feelings. We’re driven by our circumstances. As spiritual leaders we’ve got to obey God even when things are not easy.
- As spiritual leaders wait, they face fear head-on and act courageously. I have never met a leader who did not face up to fear. If fear stares you down, you will struggle in leadership.
- Courage isn’t needed when times are good. Courage is needed when times are bad.
- Moses confronted the most powerful ruler on earth! There would have been no setting people free if there had not been a courageous confrontation. Moses said in Exodus 9:13b-14, 17 (NIV), “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go … or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth…. You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go.” Then inExodus 10:3 (NIV), he says, “This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me.'”
- If Moses doesn’t persevere, the people would have never been set free.
- “To persevere, we need a picture of the future bigger than our pain.” – Dr. Sam Chand
- If you are trying to be the spiritual leader God created you to be, He will shoulder that pain with you.
After the session, Mike took some online questions. The following are 4 additional leadership quotes.
- I am vocal to the people I lead but not to everyone. Social media is not a place to be vocal.
- Rather than being vocal, now is a time to be prayerful. Never be vocal without first being prayerful.
- “Our world is looking for spiritual statesmen.” – Richard Blackaby
- There is too much to do to be bored.
What is one thing about perseverance did you learn from Mike’s comments above?
My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase. If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you. This book is not to be read alone. Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.