Leaders and the right location

You see, no one is successful everywhere! Getting the location right is important! In business, citing an industry close to the source of its raw materials makes a huge difference in the outcome of that industry. Even Jesus did not succeed everywhere.  

Jesus did not stay where He was not wanted.

I used to think that Jesus did powerful miracles everywhere, but I found out that He didn’t.

The Bible says that He could not do miracles in his own country.

And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.  

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them; Mark 6:1, 5.

Even in the places where He had a good flow, Jesus had varying levels of success.

He did many mighty works, but most of these were done in particular cities.

There were physical locations where there was more success in Jesus’ ministry.  

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day; Matthew 11:20-23.

A leader must be willing to go to places he has never been, if God is calling him there.

We all love our familiar surroundings and our comfort zones.  God’s promotion is waiting for you when you are prepared to obey and relocate for his purpose.

Joseph in Egypt

Joseph was the favourite child of his father.

Out of twelve children, he was the one who was given a coat of many colours by his father.

That contributed to making him a brother who was disliked by his brothers.

His brothers sold him, when they had the opportunity and Joseph was taken to Egypt. 
 
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, which had brought him down thither; Genesis 39:1.

Ironically, Joseph became successful when he went to live in Egypt.

Sometimes we are unwilling to go where God wants us to be.  Like Joseph, we sometimes have to go there as prisoners.

Before he became a Prime Minister, Joseph was a prisoner in Egypt.

He had to move away from his homeland to become the leader he became. 

Ruth in Jerusalem

Ruth became successful when she moved out of Moab to live in Jerusalem.

The story of Ruth is amazing.

Ruth was a Moabite and her husband died. 

Ruth had a good relationship with her mother-in-law whose name was Naomi.  

When Naomi’s two sons died, she decided to move back to her native land.

Her new circumstances had made her decide to change her location.

The two daughters-in-law of Naomi were Ruth and Orpah. 

When she tried to part with them, Ruth decided to stay with her in spite of the fact that her husband, Naomi’s son, was dead. Ruth assured Naomi that she would stick with her, no matter what!

And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God; Ruth 1:16.

Sometimes circumstances make people change location.

Ruth had become a widow.  Her life had taken a sour turn.

It was these very circumstances that would lead her to the place where she was destined to become famous.

Ruth is important because she became the great-grandmother of King David, Israel’s greatest king.

Ruth is also famous because she was the great-great-grandmother of Solomon, the richest man who ever lived.

This new description of Ruth was borne out of her relocation to a new place and all that this new location came with.

It is probably time to think and pray about your geographical location. 

Being in the right geographical space makes a difference.

Many people waste precious years of their lives oscillating between one location and another.  

You must realise that where you live is very important for your success.

This is because God has not called you everywhere but somewhere!

May you find yourself in the right geographical location!

The writer is the founder of the Lighthouse Group of churches.

E-mail: theaol@ymail.com