By mutua mahiaini
A great privilege of Navigator work is watching God bring unlikely people into His service for purposes that may defy worldly logic but contribute to Kingdom flourishing. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians: “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful” (v. 26-27).
One does not need an inherent leadership talent for God to employ them in fulfilling His Kingdom purposes. While some may naturally lean toward leadership roles and others prefer being led, God often chooses unexpected vessels and means to accomplish His will. As we seek to honor God at home, at work, or on the mission field, one of the most important things we can do is cultivate hearts of humility and confidence in God’s call. Hearts that say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
When the Lord called Moses at the burning bush, He spoke about the suffering of His people that He had seen. “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt ... I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them.” And then He concluded by saying to Moses, “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Was God Himself or Moses to do this job? Moses’ leadership was totally tied up with the fact that God was leading.
In Exodus 4:14, we read a disturbing statement: God was angry with Moses. Why? Because when God tasked him with leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, Moses pushed back against God’s direct command. He instead brought up excuses about his own insufficiency for the task. When God responded by telling him to go and provided Moses with miraculous signs, Moses continued to doubt himself. In light of this continued doubting and failure to lead, “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses” (Exodus 4:14).
Reflecting on this, former Navigator President Lorne Sanny cautioned against labeling oneself a "reluctant leader." While acknowledging that not everyone is predisposed to take charge in chaotic situations, we should always be willing to obey God when He asks us to do something.
God is on a mission and has chosen us to be His agents—to serve as a reflection and extension of His leadership. That is why our ministry needs to flow out from the Scriptures: to see the big picture of what God is doing and appreciate the small part God gives us to steward. If our lives do not align with the Scriptures, whatever we do will be fundamentally flawed. Without being driven by the Word of God, our work will not endure.
In the Old and New Testaments, God shows us what He has been doing throughout history to redeem His people. Engaging with the Bible helps us understand the Lord’s heart, see how the Gospel advances, and learn how God desires for us to follow Him. This puts the Great Commission in focus, helping us remain faithful in discipleship, evangelism, and fulfillment of our Calling. Rather than being caught up in the fear that comes from gazing inward at ourselves, we gain confidence that comes only from spending time beholding the glory of Jesus.
Devoting time in the Scriptures and in prayer helps us in everyday obedience and prepares us to say “yes” to God’s call. Spending intentional time reflecting on God’s character and work gives us a right view of ourselves and the lost, fighting off the lies of the Enemy, the flesh, and the world. It helps us cultivate the humility and confidence we need to discern and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Brothers and sisters, “God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). May we as individuals, and together as Navigators, be willing to walk humbly and confidently wherever God has called us, boasting only in Jesus Christ.
