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Exodus 18:18

¹⁸You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.

Moses was trying to be priest to the entire nation. The people stood in line all day to wait for Moses to listen to their case and hear from God. Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, saw this process and spoke the words in our verse for today. No one can carry such a load day after day regardless of how gifted they are. Not only does it wear on the person, but it is tiring for those waiting for their turn to be heard.

Jethro encouraged Moses to share the load by appointing others to help. He suggested Moses look for able and trustworthy men to be over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to share the load. Then the people could get a quick hearing and fewer cases would go all the way to Moses.

Moses meant well. Until Jethro pointed out the solution, Moses could not see that God could anoint others to share the load. God loves to include us in His work in the world. We should be as inclusive in inviting others to participate in the things God has called us to do. Every leader needs to learn this lesson. Every follower needs to be aware of the potential for burnout in his or her leader. Perhaps you may be one of the in-between people that can lighten the load by overseeing a smaller group. We all have the potential of taking on too much and wearing out. Trusting the Lord often means trusting Him to anoint others to help. It will encourage their spiritual growth and show that you aren't overconfident in yourself.

Consider: Am I wearing myself out? To have a long and fruitful ministry, you need to share the load of leadership with others. Are you trusting God to anoint them? What Jethro said to Moses is true for us all. "You are not able to do it alone." We need to work together with the body of Christ. We should bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2).