Some Assembly Required

Exodus 18:17-18 -- "Moses' father-in-law replied, 'What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.' "

image: Ford's Assembly Line/bullfax.com

In a large warehouse dimly lit with high windows, a few sturdy men in dirty coveralls set up automobile parts in lines across the floor. Each man lined up - one next to the other - and would then complete one of several steps that totaled the assembly of a single motor car. These men were charged with building Ford's  famous Model N - a daunting task that took more than twelve hours. To make things run smoothly, the men discovered that setting up each part in order and then working the assembly of the automobile in a line,  they created a rhythm that cut manufacturing time. Shorter time spent in the factory, meant that each car could be sold for less to the consumer. Ford's ultimate dream, was - after-all, to provide autos to the masses at affordable prices.

Ford was inspired by the cooperation he witnessed and in 1913 the first official assembly line began rolling Model T's out the door at record breaking speeds. Instead of taking up to twelve hours for each car to complete the assembly process, it now took less than three. Genius!

We can credit Ford and his line of men for the birth of the modern day assembly line. It's interesting to sit and ponder what today's economy would be like if that magic moment hadn't occurred. There would probably be fewer cars on the road, sure - but there would also be considerably fewer jobs.

Delegation was key to Ford's success. And as Moses learned in Exodus, it was the key to leading God's chosen people out of Egypt.

EVERY SINGLE THING that the mass of people trekking across the desert encountered was set before Moses to approve, over-see, mediate, or otherwise handle. Food shortage? Moses dealt with it. Family dispute? Moses dealt with it. Feeling lost? Yup, Moses dealt with that, too. It was just too much! After Jethro witnessed a frazzled Moses dealing with yet another problem brought to him by the people, Jethro [his father-in-law] took him aside and basically told him to chill-ax. Jethro saw that Moses was going stress himself to death if he didn't find a better way to manage the mass exodus. So - he told Moses to delegate. A very wise man, that Jethro!

image: about.com

Think about it - when you or I have too much to do - we get tired. When we're tired, we tend to make mistakes. Whether it be a slip up on the job or a poor personal decision, we don't function at our best when we are spread too thin. And IF we somehow manage to keep things together on the surface, the ones we love - who are closest to us - begin to suffer and loose out on our undivided attention. OR - we end up getting sick and our immune response becomes weak.

The whole of the matter is - we are not meant to do everything all the time all alone. Ford didn't provide every single family with a car and he didn't make cars all by himself. He had a whole team and an assembly line. Not only did his delegation increase the bottom line for his company, but it also provided for others.

When we spiritually delegate, not only we do have more time to do our jobs well, but we also allow others the opportunity to grow in Christ.

Isn't THAT what we are really all about?