In the Book of Joshua Chapter 2, there is a story of the two spies that Joshua sent into the land to spy out the land while instructed specifically and especially Jericho.

This is the story of Rahab. With Rahab in the picture, the two spies are often an accessory to the story and not much is thought of them until they return to Joshua. Then I started think what are some of the characteristics of a spy and what can they teach us. Here are 5 characteristics of leaders:

1. Courage

These guys could not be week minded and lacking of courage. They went into the unknown and into dangerous situations. You must come out of your comfort zone and with faith step into the unknown that God has called you into.

2. Intelligence

These guys had intelligence. Why did the find themselves at the home of a prostitutes. They understood that this was a place of great traffic. Men were often seen coming and going and they could easily come in and hide. They also had the intelligence to seek out and survey the land. God does not want christians to check their brain at the doors of the church or when you open your Bible, no He gave you a brain to use. It is there to help you in all of the situations and circumstances so that you can use the knowledge and skills learned when you find yourself in different situations. This is true for both natural and spiritual intelligence.

3. Creativity

You have to be creative especially these two guys. God is calling each of us to be creative. GET OUT OF THE BOX. This is the time that God is doing and calling us to do things differently. This is at the heart of God because He is a creative God. We may not all be masters of art, experts in Photoshop or Illustrator, but we all can be creative. Think of it this way, creativity is doing something different that you have before in a given situation. Be Creative!

4. Loyalty

Be loyal to God despite the situation that you find yourself in and be true to the mission. There is a generation of people that are counting on you to complete the task before you given to you by God. When times are tough, stay strong. These two guys in Joshua had to stay strong. They had to hide in the thatch of the roof for a night and hide in the hills for three days but they stayed loyal and there was success in the mission.

5. Resourcefulness

Learn to be resourceful. Use the things that are around you to aide in the success of your mission. What you will find is the greatest resource is people and it may not be who you expect. These two spies in Jericho had to use the resource they found at this house in the wall and it was a prostitute. Are you willing to go and do what is not so typical?

These spies understood this principle: the hopes, fears and successes of a nation and a generation was dependent on them and their mission being completed. They were tasked with spying the land and coming back with a report. What report will you bring back from your mission? Will it be one of faith? Will you use the characteristics in your life to have success in your mission?

Remember, these spies had the full backing and trust of one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. Joshua hand picked these two people for a mission that was only theirs to accomplish. God hand picked you for the mission that He has you on. He trust you and wants to see you succeed. Lets move forward, conquer fear and complete the mission as did these two spies and don’t look at the situation you are in as the end, but a hurdle to conquer as you go forward and complete what God has called you to do.