Identity is partially about who I am. However, it also ties in with when you are living. Look at the days and times.
From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command; 1 Chronicles 12:32
A leader must take time to understand the times. Listen carefully to what is being said or done in our communities. Ask where someone like you can fit in a world like this. God has placed you in this time and place. Do you ever take time to wonder why?
Moses was the correct leader to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. He was a master organizer and developed systems that would help the people maintain order and justice. Joshua was a warrior leader. He was designed to strategize and conquer. The times required a certain type of leader for each season in Israel.
What season is your community in currently? Are they needing some stability? Are they primed for expansion? How you lead in that moment will make the difference.
Initially Joshua needed to be a warrior. However, eventually the season changed, and he needed to put on his administrative leader hat and distribute the land. There really are no good or bad seasons, there are only leaders who learn to adjust their style to what is needed or fail to do.
How can you learn how to gauge the season?
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- Listen to the music of your culture, and if you really want to succeed, then listen to the music of other cultures. What are the recurring themes? What is the tone? Is the music deep or light?
- Check out the art: Same sorts of questions but also look at if most of the art is more realistic or more imaginative? Look for bright colors or dark colors
- Check out entertainment to include sports. What is popular or about to become popular? What used to be popular? Why did it change?
- Listen to the media. Same sorts of questions as above. What is the mood of the land? Do people say one thing but act totally different?
- Check out the interaction between generations, between different races and genders? Try not to determine at this point right and wrong; simply strive to understand. There will be plenty of time and energy for judging when the time is right.
The bottom line here is that you will be a Spiritual Leader of Wisdom. Knowing the people that you intend to influence goes beyond the people that you see. They may work for you or worship with you, but they go home to be impacted by culture. That same culture is impacting their families and their entertainment. Whatever is happening out there is impacting your ability to lead. Know the season that you are trying to lead in and through.
