The story of Moses and Joshua is a fascinating one for sure. God tasked a man up in years with the enormous assignment to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt to a Promised Land. Such an assignment would make most senior citizens laugh and keep on moving. But the example of Moses and Joshua leading God’s people, fighting for the freedom of God’s people, is great.

What does God want us to learn from their example? I believe it’s far beyond a great story about Moses, his leadership, and his death; it’s beyond the story of Joshua getting ready to take them in and exhibiting the courage necessary for the job. What is it that God wants us to know today? My mind began to flood with the word ‘sacrifice.’

In Joshua 1:1-18 we are at the glory part of the story because they are just about to take possession! But before the glory there was sacrifice. Imagine what Moses had to sacrifice to accomplish God’s plan. God uses his people, to lead his people, and his call includes sacrifice. Just like God called Moses, he has called you. Just like he called Joshua, he’s called you. When Moses was called he was reluctant. He was afraid, uncertain, even shy. But he answered the call! Moses had to sacrifice to answer the call of God. With each call there is sacrifice. We rarely think about what Moses’ leadership would have looked like without the sacrifices he had to make. Do not forget that Moses was raised a prince. He had a background in good living. Yes, Moses was one of the greatest leaders ever, but his success did not come without great sacrifice.

We’ve gotten ourselves in a habit of defining what sacrifices we will make for God. And because of this, we are in a pickle. God has called us, but we do the work of the call within the confines of our comfort zone and we have a creative way of making it sound spiritual. This could be why we are still wandering around the wilderness not quite being able to get to the promised land. Year after year, meeting after meeting, as long as we continue to define what sacrifices we will give to God, we will continue to wander. You must ask yourself right now: what good is your leadership without sacrifice? I can tell you: none.

Don’t let the idea of sacrifice scare you. When you obey the voice of God, when you follow the direction of God, when you ALLOW the Holy Spirit to use you the way he wants to use you for his people, he will be with you! You have God’s word on that. He has promised. When we put arms, legs, and feet to the work that’s before us at his direction and leading, just like he told Joshua, he’s telling us: be courageous, I’ll be with you.

• When you go to that church of color because he’s led you in relationship building, be courageous because God promises to be with you.

• When you do the work God leads you in, be strong. Be courageous. Do it because God promises to be with you.

Can you imagine God could really be trying to do something extraordinary through you? Don’t get bothered by the fact that you may be older now. God didn’t even begin to use Moses until he was eighty. Don’t be bothered by being too old, too young, or feeling unequal to the task. Our effectiveness is contingent upon our obedience, being willing to make the sacrifices required to surrender to follow him, however, he chooses to use us.

It takes sacrifice! Our focus needs to shift. No leader is ever a great leader without enormous sacrifice. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us! Being great in God’s eyes, advancing his kingdom, only comes through great sacrifice. Leadership without sacrifice, what good is it?