Dan O’Deens Blogspot

Any leader flat out has to be impressed when they follow the steps of Joshua.   He was a great ’second’ man and he was a great ‘first’ man.   That was true because his identity was in his God.   Any good and Godly leader understands that his identity does not come from the organization he serves, but from the innate qualities given to him by God himself.

As a leader taps into the true power source and leads strong and serves faithfully and follows the instruction of the Lord and does not turn from it to the right or the left is destined to be a GREAT leader.   

This was said of Joshua (Joshua 24:31)  ”The people of Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the elders who outlived him.”    What a legacy.  

The truth:  Joshua lead and those that God had entrusted to his care followed.  That is the greatest success for any group of people.   Leaders and Followers.  All followers need a leader.   Every leader has followers.

A leader knows his job was done well, when at the end of the day, the people are serving the Lord; and at the end of his life; the people are still following the Lord.

The real reason for success:  Joshua 1:7-9;  Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey ALL the instructions Moses (or your God appointed Leader) gave you.  Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or the left.  Then you will be successful in everything  you do.  Study this Book of Instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  ONLY THEN will you prosper and succeed in all you do….For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Voltaire said, “Paradise is where I am.”   I am not intending to make a theological argument from the quote, but it captured my attention.   This past week, I spoke about the Cage of Routine from Mark Batterson’s book, The Wild Goose Chase.   (A must read book for those who desire to passionately pursue the Spirit of God.) 

I was captured twice this week by a statement.   One that usually is attributed to ‘just’ Moses.  But it was also spoken to Joshua!   “Take off your sandals for you are standing on Holy Ground.”    I am pretty sure Moses had his eyes set on the “Promised Land.”   Surely, that was the place of “holy ground.’   That is the problem of life.  ”When I get there, then…”   And God is saying, not then, now.   Moses….right now!  Don’t miss it!  You are standing in my presence.  I am about to commission you with a task that will move people where I want them to be moved, and I am choosing you to lead them to where I want them to go!  

I love Moses’ response.  ”Here I am.”    When we respond with a “Here I Am” and you are standing in the presence of Jesus, then you in fact are in Paradise!   Help me to be in Paradise all day TODAY!    

As Batterson points out, The Celtic term for the Holy Spirit is, “An Geadh-Glas” which translates, “the Wild Goose.”   So, it’s yours and my choice:  Today, Will I Choose to Chase the Wild Goose?

1.  That the Creator of the Universe Chooses to Use Someone Like Me!   Wow!  Really!  I can be such a screw up and He flat out uses me in spite of me.  Thanks God!

2.  That my Family Loves Me and Loves Jesus!   How cool is that.   I have a great wife that ’stands by her man’ (by the way…I hate country music).  And I have great kids who are each their very own persons, but all of them love Jesus and are walking with Him.  Thanks God!

3.  That God is changing peoples lives!   I just love change and nothing gets me going more than to see people who once were walking in darkness now walking in the light!   Thanks God!

4.  That I have the opportunities to plug into my community.   I get to serve our community in the areas of my passion:  Working with people in crisis and Working with people who love God’s sport…Soccer!   Thanks God!  (By the way, one my girls from the team I coach, came to church this past Sunday with her family.  They are from Switzterland….they loved it and I loved having them there!  Thanks again God!!

5.  That life is an adventure and I get to wonder, and dream and Chase after those Big Dreams that God plants in my heart.  Thanks God!