A Good Leader

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

              For months we prepared. We read books, memorized scripture, learned key words in a new language, studied culture, and physically trained. Each of us, all from different geographic locations, readied ourselves for the adventure of a lifetime. Then we finally met in San Francisco and spent five days of intense training and team building. We learned to trust each other. Lean on the others’ strengths. But more importantly, we came to know and trust our team leader.

              She had trained for this opportunity. Years of classes and studies. Time in prayer and studying God’s Word. Language study and cultural immersion. No one else on the team compared with her. She had the making of a great leader.

              When we arrived overseas, she knew who the contacts were. She helped us navigate the language barrier without offending others or breaking cultural protocol. Our itinerary was set. Transportation was taken care of. She arranged everything.

              Any time we became anxious or worried, we came to her. She listened, shared scripture, prayed with us, or led us in worship with her guitar. Not only did she point us in the right direction, but she laughed and joked with us too. A leader, confidant, and friend.

              So, when we were followed, then detained by the local authorities, it was natural to trust her leadership. She was as scared as we were, but she knew the fate of our entire team rested on her ability to trust God and lead well. We were instructed to act calm even if our nerves told us otherwise. We played card games in between coded prayer sessions and trusted she would say the right things while being questioned. After nearly three hours, our leader returned to us and we were released. 

              It was easy to follow a leader who proved themselves worthy of the position. She was confident, prayerful, humble, peaceful, sensible, faith-filled, and approachable. Never did she make haphazard or hasty decisions. Following her lead felt natural.

              The same goes for us as we follow the authorities in our lives. When someone has proven leadership qualities and is a trustworthy leader, following comes naturally. We willingly try new practices or change how we’ve always done things. Submission and support come naturally when leaders are worthy of the call.

              Who are the authorities in your life who are natural leaders? What sets them apart from other authorities?          

Do the Heart Work

1.      Who are the authorities in your life that you trust the most? What makes them trustworthy?

2.      Is every person in authority a natural leader? Why or why not?

3.      Is Jesus a trustworthy authority in your life? What qualities set him apart as a great leader worth following?

Digging Deeper

Read Proverbs 16:16-29 (NIV).

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!

The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.

Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.

The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.

A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.

Look at a few of these leadership characteristics. Would you make a good leader?

If You Get Spare Time

              Think about different people from your various life seasons who were authority figures. Were they easy or hard to follow? What made them easy or harder to fall in line with?