Purpose Driven Leadership
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I’ll never forget the first time I read about Moses. His story jumped off the page, vividly full of passion, purpose, and missteps that felt so human.

In the book of Acts, we learn about a pivotal moment in Moses’ life: “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and deeds. Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand” (Acts 7:22–25 NKJV).

That passage left me thinking deeply about what it means to lead with true purpose driven leadership.

Moses had everything—wisdom, strength, and a heart for justice. Yet something was missing. His actions, though well-intentioned with pure heart of defending his own brother from the Egyptian, lacked one crucial thing: God’s revelation. I’ve found myself in similar situations before, rushing impulsively to act without seeking God’s direction, only to realize that good intentions alone aren’t enough.

So, what can we learn from Moses’ story? Let’s dive in.

Leadership Without Revelation Is Dangerous

Here’s the bottom line: Moses was a leader, but his purpose was incompletely formed. He knew he was called to deliver the Israelites. It was etched into his heart. But without divine guidance, his leadership led to missteps. Striking down the Egyptian wasn’t part of God’s plan—it was Moses’ own. Leadership without the right purpose can dangerously cause harm, even when intentions are pure. This underscores the importance of purpose driven leadership.

Think about it. Moses had been equipped with the best education and training in Egypt. He was mightily prepared in words and deeds, yet he wasn’t ready to fulfill God’s mission during the time when he killed the Egyptian taskmaster who was beating his Hebrew brother. Why?

Because leadership without God’s revelation focuses blindly on provision rather than purpose.

Moses could have freed the Israelites and led them to a better land, but without knowing God intimately, they would have missed the ultimate goal: freedom to worship and know Him. This highlights a critical aspect of purpose driven leadership—aligning actions with God’s greater plan.

I’ve come to realize this in my own life, too. We might strive to accomplish something “good,” thinking it’s enough. But unless our actions align completely with God’s character and revelation, we’re just moving in circles. That’s a hard pill to swallow, isn’t it?

Wilderness Prepares Us for A Purpose Driven Leadership

Wilderness Prepares Us for A Purpose Driven Leadership
Photo by Nathan McBride on Unsplash

After his failure in Egypt, Moses fled quickly to the desert. Imagine that for a second. He went from the grandeur of Pharaoh’s palace to the solitude of the wilderness.

It wasn’t a step backward; it was preparation. The desert quietly quieted Moses’ heart, stripping away distractions so he could hear God clearly. Purpose driven leadership often requires a season of preparation.

I’ll never forget the moment it clicked for me. Like Moses, I had to face my own “desert or what I call wilderness” season. At first, it felt like punishment—a lonely, barren place. But over time, I began to see it differently. In the stillness, I could suddenly hear God’s voice more clearly. That’s where transformation happens.

In the wilderness, when Moses saw the burning bush and said, “I will now turn aside and see…” (Exodus 3:3 NKJV), it was a turning point.

Now, imagine this: what would possibly happen if Moses did not turn aside to see the great sight of the burning bush. He could have possibly missed the opportunity of experiencing God’s revelation of purpose for his life.

But the good thing is, he responded wholeheartedly to God’s revelation, not his own ambition. This pivotal moment set the foundation for his purpose driven leadership journey.

Have you ever felt like you’re in a wilderness season? Maybe it’s not punishment but preparation. God uses those moments to refine us, to deeply deepen our understanding of His purpose.

Discernment: Knowing “Good” vs. God’s Best

Not all good things are God things. That’s a tough truth, but it’s vitally vital. Eve’s story in Genesis highlights this perfectly.

She was drawn to the “good” side of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, not the evil side.

The fruit looked pleasing and desirable, but it went against God’s command. It wasn’t fully aligned with His character.

During the first attempt of Moses to free one of his own brethren, it was unsuccessful, because it was a misstep. His desire to free the Israelites was good, but it wasn’t yet ministry.

True ministry only happens when it flows directly from intimate knowledge of God. It’s easy to be tempted by things that appear good on the surface. Promotions, accolades, even acts of service can distract us from God’s ultimate plan.

We must seek Him first to discern what’s truly aligned with His will. This is at the heart of purpose driven leadership.

One of the best ways to cultivate discernment is through prayer and scripture. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a verse, and it felt like God was speaking directly to me.

It’s in those moments that clarity instantly comes, and decisions become easier to make. When we draw closely close to God, we’re better equipped to recognize His voice and distinguish it from everything else.

Bringing It All Together

Moses’ journey teaches us that leadership, purpose, and ministry must be grounded completely in God’s revelation.

Acting on our own strength might produce short-term results, but it won’t fully fulfill the greater purpose God has for us.

Purpose driven leadership calls us to go deeper, to seek His guidance, and to act in alignment with His will. We need those wilderness seasons to patiently prepare our hearts and refine our focus.

And above all, we need to cultivate an intimate relationship with God to discern what is good versus what is truly from Him.

So, where are you in your journey? Are you rushing ahead like Moses at forty, or are you in a season of preparation, waiting for God’s next move? Whatever the case, trust that God’s timing and revelation will guide you toward your true purpose.

Here’s my challenge to you: take a moment today to intentionally seek God’s direction. Open your Bible, pray, and ask Him to reveal His purpose for your life.

And when He speaks, be eagerly ready to respond, just as Moses did. Your destiny isn’t just about what you do—it’s about who you become in Him. Purpose driven leadership starts with that transformation.

Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. I’d love to hear about your own journey, your desert seasons, or how you’re learning to lead with purpose. Let’s grow together!

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