I am a huge fan of this author. She pointed me in the direction of some ancient spiritual disciplines with her previous book, "Invitation to Solitude and Silence", several years ago. It gave me the desire to be more of a contemplative, than a "doer"; admitting that all of my "works" were nothing if I didn't have a listening, yearning heart.
Because of my position on the Navigation Team at church, I picked up this book to "re-boot" as a leader because I had been out of the mainstream of leadership since our departure from full-time ministry in 2013. Ruth bases this book on Moses' life and leadership, which I love. I have always been a fan of character studies, and she develops this fully. Her basic premise is that we not simply give lip service to prayer, but we develop rhythms of solitude (as did Moses) and lead out of those sacred silences. As we are transformed in the stillness, God gives great freedom to lead. The chapter on "Finding God's Will Together" was particularly insightful as we head into such a season at our church; but the most compelling was the last chapter "Reenvisioning the Promised Land". Speaking directly to my heart as I have been struggling with my "next" role; she brings us to Moses' last days, how he stands on the mountain and looks over the Promised Land, which he can't enter. Am I at the place of utter contentment with where God has me? Am I longing to be with Him? Do I really need one more "hurrah"? Can I simply live these remaining days in serving in simple ways, not being a mover & shaker? Not called to an activism or "bigger" purpose (such as refugee care?). Am I done with such things? I don't know--but the author gives me the challenge to let some dreams go (as Moses let go of his desire to physically lead the people into the land), and lean into Him, resting in areas of service with calm and serenity, not striving or angst. I Timothy 6:6: "But godliness with contentment is great gain".
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