Leadership: Impartation – You Can’t Give Away What You Don’t Have

Sharing from experience – impartation – is powerful.

The principle of impartation is easy to overlook in the hustle and bustle of ministry work. And it is modeled beautifully by the Old Testament prophetess Deborah. She was able to impart courage to the Hebrew people because she knew what it took to be courageous.

During a crucial juncture in her nation’s history, as Israel was to be attacked by its arch-enemy Canaan, Deborah stretched herself to live courageously.

She heard directions from God and believed them. Even though others around her did not value women, nevertheless Deborah mustered the courage to trust God’s voice as He spoke to her. God gave Deborah a clear outline for the Israelite counter-attack.
She shared those directions clearly to others. Deborah called a meeting with Israel’s army commander Barak and explained God’s plan for deliverance. Barak was willing to go into battle, riding shotgun beside her, but only if Deborah agreed to go with him.
She carried out her role in the plan. Deborah lured the enemy into battle – a messy business – and then stayed with the 10,000 Israelite troops until the enemy had fallen into their hands.

As a woman in ancient times, Deborah may not have been viewed as courageous. She may not have felt courageous. But nevertheless, she demonstrated courage and imparted it to her people by acting on what she knew to be true about God. The result was that her people, too, responded courageously, which led to a miraculous deliverance that lasted 40 years.

What do you need to impart in your workplace, in your family, or in your ministry? Bring it to God and allow Him to cultivate it in you first. Because you can’t give it away (impart it) if you don’t have it already.