As we study scripture and Moses’ leadership style, the one constant thing in Moses’ life was that he went to the Lord with everything.
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.
(Ex. 3:11-12)By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
(Ex. 13:21-22)
My first opportunity to serve as a leader I failed. My freshman year in college, I was the event chair of a large student fashion show. In front of the crowd, the show was a success and I was high on the accolades that I received, but behind the scenes I failed and made an error because I did not realize that with leadership comes responsibility.
I failed to honor an agreement with three of our sponsors. I may not remember the words, but I will never forget the disappointment I saw on my advisor’s face after discussing how I dropped the ball. Since then, professionally and through various commitments, I have served in a leadership capacity in some arena; as a manager of staff or a chair of a committee with 25+ people with various personalities. From that, I learned to remain flexible and fluid to the suggestions of the individual’s you manage, while remaining focused on your core purpose; and as a Christian, to the make sure your leadership and decisions align with the Word of God.
It is not as easy as it seems. Leading people is the most difficult job anyone can EVER have because everyone has their own opinion of what should be done; their own belief system and moral code of right and wrong; and freedom of choice and will.
Although history has told the story of many great leaders, I can think of no other leader that ever had Moses’ responsibility. In the text, we find Moses leading not a few thousand people from under the rule of Pharaoh, but upwards of a million people — people who were used to living and thinking with a slave mentality.
I can’t begin to imagine the magnitude of the task that was before him. After all, God gave him the task of convincing people that a murderer was now a called man of God. He also had to show unbelievable faith in his ability to follow God and lead the Israelites to the very foot of the Red Sea, as he watched the waters separate into the dry path of the future. Moses then had to encourage the Israelites to walk between two walls of water and to trust that those same waters would not come falling down upon them.
But what was the key to Moses’ leadership? It was not just that he himself knew how to follow, lessons he learned as he lived as a humbled shepherd, it was whom he followed— God. As we study scripture and Moses’ leadership style, the one constant thing in Moses’ life was that he went to the Lord with everything. With the exception of one time (which kept him from entering the promise land), in every choice, every decision, and every obstacle, he followed God’s instruction. He was submissive to God.
Since that time in college, I have served as a leader and under various leaders, all of which shaped me for leadership and following, but none so much as my relationship with Christ. So I ask you, what type of leader are you? What type of follower? Each day we are called to be both, but the most important thing is not who we follow, but whom we follow, God, and what God’s purpose is for our position.
Today you have a decision to make as a leader and a follower. Whom and what will be your blueprint for both? As a Christian, I believe it is always centered on the Word, not the whim of people, and will of God. Your circumstance may require you having clarity of His will, but rest assured that the biblical blueprint of His Word will never contradict that.
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Passionate, Loving, Loyal, Engaging, Obedient, and Direct are words often used to describe Shaniqua Rischer. However, the words she loves to be known for the most are Christian and daughter of the Most High God.
Shaniqua Rischer was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and is the youngest of three children. Her father was an educator and she grew up in a family where education was emphasized as the foundation for success. At the age of 22, Shaniqua dedicated her life to Christ and has been on a quest for a closer relationship with God ever since that time. "To live a life of faith and to be of service to all I meet is my ultimate desire" says Shaniqua.
Having struggled with low self-esteem, feelings of unworthiness and inadequacies, abject fear, and not knowing how to serve, love, and follow a God she could not see or feel made her tap into her inquisitive nature. Shaniqua has always been the type of person to ask why. She learned to never rely solely on the answer given, but to delve deeper and to question what she was told and taught. Shaniqua approached her relationship with Christ as she would any person she met � she started talking and asking why. Through intimate prayer and conversations with God, she gained a clearer understanding of the struggles many Christians face. The struggles include the responsibility of being called Christian; knowing what we are supposed to do, but too afraid to act or not knowing how to break free of the bondage that holds us captive. She has discovered a love un-like anything she has ever known, experienced favor that can only come from the Lord, and discovered what it means to finally let her guard down and let God be the center of her life. The result has been the development of a person that dares to be extraordinary and move beyond fear to faith.
While on a mission trip to Kenya in 2009, her global vision was formed to impact others. As a result, At The Cross Global Ministries was born. Shaniqua shares her experiences and lessons of faith in a direct and open manner, full of compassion, challenge and optimism. Currently, Ms. Rischer serves as the Executive Director of At The Cross Global Ministries and dedicates her life to being the hands and feet of Christ.
In February 2011, Shaniqua began publishing weekly devotionals under GreatIs.org an intercessory prayer site. Through this site, people can submit their requests for prayer and Ms. Rischer inspires many to continue their faith walk by sharing her personal struggles and walk with God.
With more than 10 years experience working with nonprofit organizations and an extensive background in program development, partnership collaboration, and fundraising, she has taken her experience and incorporated At The Cross Global Ministries. Shaniqua holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Arts Degree in Christian Education from Dallas Baptist University.