I’m writing this from Israel. I am so grateful for the opportunity to help lead trips here as part of the Center for Holy Lands Studies. Not only does it give me a chance to do what I love to do — teach — but I always seem to glean something new every time I come here.

This trip, I’ve been reflecting on what the Bible teaches about leadership — and particularly a leadership motif that appears again and again. Consider the great leaders of Israel, from Abraham to Moses to David. What did they have in common? They were all shepherds. 

Leading Like a Shepherd

The biblical example of leadership can tell us a lot about how we position ourselves as modern-day shepherds. Today, just like then, you’re only a leader if you have a “flock.” And the first lesson any shepherd learns is to lead from behind — as well as to the side of the sheep and in the midst of them — rather than just being in the forefront. You must be able to see every sheep if you ever hope to keep track of them.

We’re working for God’s glory, and He wants to take us on a journey of discovering who He is. 

 

That doesn’t mean you sit in the back row or that you allow everyone else to define the vision. It means that you don’t put yourself out front and keep everyone at your back. It means that you develop a servant’s heart, one that is nurturing and inclined toward your sheep. A good shepherd knows the condition of the flock, and that takes keeping your eyes open.

The shepherding motif of leadership has become deeply meaningful to me over the years, especially as I’ve journeyed to the Holy Land. First of all, I’ve discovered that leadership is not a method but a character. Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. This title doesn’t reflect His skill at leading animals but His holy conduct and caring nature. You can know the principles of Scripture — including the importance of loving others — but if you don’t live them, you will not lead well.

Leadership is not a formula but a journey. We often want the results without the process. We want to get to the end of the game, the last chapter or the closing credits. Why? Because that’s where the glory is. But we need to remember that we’re working for God’s glory, and He wants to take us on a journey of discovering who He is.

Leadership is not a one-time answer but a lifetime of asking the right questions. Shepherds have to be inquisitive. As they lead their sheep over the terrain in search of the best watering holes, they’re constantly asking questions. Where are the streams leading today? How are the roads and trails? Are there any sick or lame sheep among us? Where’s the next dangerous turn I need to watch out for? We all want to know the answers, but the questions we ask are so much more important.

The Attitude of the Shepherd

Shepherds aren’t celebrities. They’re too busy taking care of their flocks to worry about their own fame. In Zechariah 11, the Lord tells us that evil shepherds are only in it for themselves; they are willing to sacrifice their sheep for a name. However, good shepherds exhibit tremendous amounts of selflessness, humility and courage.

Israel is in the middle of the desert. When you visit, it may not look like the picture in your head though. Not all deserts have sand dunes stretching for miles on end, but they all lack precipitation. In a country with scarce rainfall, shepherds must be resourceful.

The desert is God’s classroom. It teaches us humility as we navigate harsh conditions and terrain. It teaches us hospitality, because we can never survive on our own in the desert. We’re dependent on God and each other for survival. And it develops our maturity.

How do we embrace the desert seasons of our lives? We need to take a lesson from the shepherds and keep our eyes open. We must pay attention to where we’re going and take one step at a time.

When you think of deserts, you probably think of the Sahara. That treacherous environment has claimed many lives over the years. To keep people from getting lost and stranded, there are 50-gallon oil barrels out in the sand five kilometers apart. As a traveler reaches one, the next one comes into view. The lesson is when you feel lost, just get to the next spot God is pointing you toward. You may not know what’s after that one, but that’s OK. Trust His guidance enough to take the next step.

Keep looking ahead. God has a great future for you. He’s already embraced it, and He is waiting for you to do the same. But it’s going to take perseverance and pressing forward.

Finally, look up. Trust that God sees the whole picture. You and I may not have the clearest of visions, but if we stay connected to God, He will get us through.

Desert Seasons

We all go through desert seasons, those times when the journey is difficult, the path seems treacherous, and the future is fraught with uncertainty. In such times, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about relying on my Good Shepherd as I lead others.

God uses these life experiences to stretch my pain tolerance and prepare me for the next steps. He teaches me to guard my heart, not my circumstances. No matter what happens, my first responsibility is a spiritual one: drawing closer to Him. Through my desert moments, I’ve come to realize I don’t have to fix every problem. I don’t have to right every wrong. I don’t have to confront every issue. If God is for me, that’s all that matters.

I don’t have to know everything. I don’t have to do everything. And I definitely don’t need everyone to like me. But how I handle my desert seasons is a sign of my maturity and security in God.