Leaders need a shadow
While walking on a sunny day, our shadow is always present, accompanying us throughout the journey. As a child, we even played games with our shadows, sometimes trying to get rid of them, but it was impossible. The games we played as children can teach us a lesson today: Leaders need a shadow. In addition to accompanying us all the time, our shadow imitates the simplest movements we make.
Moses, the great leader of the Old Testament, had Joshua as his shadow because he would be the one chosen to do everything necessary to take God's people to the Promised Land. "The Lord spoke with Moses face to face, as one who speaks with his friend. Then Moses returned to the camp; but Joshua the son of Nun, who was his helper, did not depart from the tent." Exodus 33:11
While Moses was in the Tent of Meeting listening to the voice of God, his shadow, his disciple, did not depart from the tent where Moses was. No leader should overlook the importance of their legacy and how it is carried forward.
When leaders are concerned about their legacy, they attest that they have done, within human limitations, what God asked them to do. Such concern also demonstrates zeal for history and full confidence in their call to lead.
Passing the baton so that someone else can continue the work demonstrates humility and the full awareness that their task does not belong to them; it belongs to the one who called them. Jesus invested in twelve "shadows" that shook and will continue to shake the world until He returns.
Antonio Mendes
Church and Ministry Leadership Consultant
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