Joshua said, “Now then, revere the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and truth. Reject the gods which your ancestors served beyond the river and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. However, if it seems wrong in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose today whom you will serve — whether the gods whom your fathers served beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. Nevertheless, I and my house, we shall serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15
How great to see a strong leader who knew where he was going, but gave others the space they needed to choose for themselves. No threats. No name-calling. No public put-downs. No exploitation or manipulation or humiliation.
Joshua didn’t play upon people’s emotions or attack their alleged ignorance or use some gimmick to gain strokes in defense of his position. He knew what God would have him do, and he realized the consequences of people choosing differently…but they needed to weigh those issues for themselves. It needed to be their decision and not his. He left it for the people to decide.
That is an example of a leader who had security in in the Lord and in himself…and respect for others. Our own life decisions are our greatest testimony and witness.
