One Key Principle for Navigating Life

When you take bold action in obedience to God, you must also be ready to adjust your course. One of the most important principles to remember in that process is this: trust God to bring the right people for the journey.

In Exodus 4:27-28, we see this principle clearly in the story of Moses.

“The Lord said to Aaron, ‘Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.’ So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do.”

Before Moses ever left for Egypt, God had already told him, “I'll send you Aaron.” Then He speaks to Aaron: “Go see Moses.” God orchestrated the meeting. He brought the right person at the right time to partner with Moses in what was ahead.

This moment sets a precedent. Every leader has needs that can only be met in and through other leaders.

The Role of Second Chair Leaders
As God prepared to use Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of bondage and into the Promised Land, He brought an entire team of leaders alongside him. Moses was never meant to do it alone. He needed what we call second chair leaders, people who lead while not being the lead leader.

In 2005, I had the privilege of coauthoring a book titled Leading from the Second Chair, alongside Pastor Mike Bynum. That title came to me while leaving a doctoral seminar in Fort Worth. I called Mike with the idea, and years later, God has used that concept to train leaders across North America and beyond.

The heart of that book and my doctoral thesis is the theology of the second chair. I explored the scriptural foundation for subordinate leadership within the local church. I studied the structure of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit operate in divine order. I examined Moses’ leadership and those under him, the transition from Moses to Joshua, Elijah to Elisha, and the leaders who served alongside Paul. One thing became clear. The path to leadership is paved by faithful following.

Moses’ story is a powerful example of how God brings the right people into our lives to strengthen us for the journey. From the beginning of Moses’ call to the end of his life on the mountain, he was never alone. God surrounded him with men who would serve, support, and eventually succeed him.

God-Sent Strength: Aaron, Hur, and Joshua
Let’s look closer at the leaders God provided Moses.

Aaron was the first. He became Moses’ spokesman and eventually led the Levites and priests. He handled the tabernacle and sacrificial systems. He also became a wingman, someone who stayed close, supported, and never left Moses’ side.

During the attack by the Amalekites at Rephidim, Moses sent Joshua into the valley to fight, while Aaron and Hur went with him to the high place. As Moses prayed, Israel prevailed. When his hands dropped, they faltered. So Aaron and Hur came alongside him and held his hands up. That was their calling, to lift their leader's arms when he couldn't anymore.

Hur played the role of judge and representative. He stood in leadership roles as needed, showing that second chair leaders may also take the lead in critical moments.

Joshua was Moses’ aide, his sharath, meaning assistant or aide to a VIP. He would ultimately succeed Moses, but his path to leadership came through faithful service, shadowing Moses, and learning under him.

This is how God builds leadership. He doesn’t just call one person to carry the entire mission. He provides capacity through others, people with gifts, strength, and wisdom. These second chair leaders are vital.

Don’t Miss God’s Provision
When you step out in obedience, do not overlook God’s provision of counsel and strength through others. The calling on Moses’ life was too great for him to accomplish alone. He needed help. He needed leadership around him. So do we.

Proverbs 24:5-6 reinforces this truth:
"A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might. For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in the abundance of counselors there is victory."
Notice this principle. Your calling is your war. It's not someone else's battle. Whether you’re raising children, counseling adult children, leading in the marketplace, doing research, or pastoring a church, you have a war to wage. God has called you to it.

But wise people don’t fight alone. They seek strength. They add capacity. The passage says, “A man of knowledge enhances his might.” That means you can be strong and still need more strength. That strength often comes in the form of other people, counselors, partners, mentors, and second chair leaders.

Wisdom Is All Around You
Here’s the practical side. Look around. God has likely already placed wise, seasoned people around you.

For young professionals just getting started, don't isolate yourselves within your age group. Seek out wisdom from those further down the road. Ask them to coffee. Learn from their experiences. Every adult who’s walked the road before you is just waiting for someone to ask, “Can I hear your story?”

And to those who are more seasoned, make yourself available. There’s a generation rising up that needs your encouragement, your scars, and your perspective.

God loves to bring the right people into our lives to help us grow and carry the load. Will you receive that provision? Will you invite that strength into your journey?

Final Questions to Consider
As you walk in obedience to your calling, ask yourself:
What is the specific war God has called me to wage?
Am I strong enough for that war?
Am I actively adding strength through wise counsel and partnership?
Who has God already placed around me that I need to see as a gift?

God brought the right people to Moses. He will do the same for you. Don’t fight alone. Let others hold your arms up. Let them speak on your behalf. Let them lead beside you.
Trust God to bring the right people for the journey.

This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson at our CityRise West U campus on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. Check out the full message below!