You are a leader. John Maxwell, author and expert on leadership, says, “Leadership is influence,” and because your life influences others – your family, friends, co-workers, etc. – you’re a leader. Want to be a good one? Then let me give you five characteristics of godly leadership from David’s life to help you become a leader after God’s own heart:
1) A leader after God’s own heart: Develops an intimate relationship with God. Long before David ever led others, he led sheep – not a prestigious job. But during those days before becoming a powerful, well-known king, David cultivated a close relationship with God. The evidence of this intimacy is found in a Psalm he wrote when he was a young shepherd:
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? …O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:3-9 NIV)
Become a leader after God’s own heart by giving your relationship with God priority.
2) A leader after God’s own heart: Is submissive to those in authority over them. As a young man, David was submissive to his father, Jesse, and throughout his years of service to King Saul, David was submissive to him. Even when Saul’s jealousy drove him to destroy David, David continued to treat Saul with respect. In fact, Saul himself told David:
“‘You are more righteous than I,’ [Saul] said. ‘You have treated me well,
but I have treated you badly.’” (1 Samuel 24:17 NIV)
Become a leader after God’s own heart by demonstrating submission and respect to those in authority over you.
3) A leader after God’s own heart: Will be criticized by others, but will not retaliate. David always had his critics. One was a man named Shimei who publicly criticized and cursed David. This caused one of David’s men to request permission to retaliate and kill Shimei, but look how David responded:
“‘Leave him alone; let him curse… It may be that the LORD will see
my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.” (2 Samuel 16:11-12)
Become a leader after God’s own heart by refusing to criticize those who criticize you.
4) A leader after God’s own heart: Leads in their own unique way. Just before David’s battle with Goliath, Saul took his own sword, armor and helmet and clothed David with them. But David said, “I cannot go in these.” The rest is history:
“David triumphed over the Philistine [Goliath] with a sling and a stone;
without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.” (1 Samuel 17:50 NIV)
Become a leader after God’s own heart by leading in your own unique way.
5) A leader after God’s own heart: Succeeds because the Lord is with them. As a leader and warrior, David experienced great personal success as well as innumerable victories in battle. Yes, he was a disciplined leader and a well-prepared warrior, but the primary reason for David’s success is stated in 1 Samuel:
“In everything [David] did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:14)
Become a leader after God’s own heart by recognizing your success is because the Lord is with you.
God has given you a flock – maybe it’s your children, your friends, your employees, or maybe He’s called you to a place of service in your church. Right now, take the first step that will lead you to lead others. Bow your head. Commit to give God priority in your life – to love Him most and seek Him first. Follow David’s lead, girl, and you’ll become a leader after God’s own heart.
[Repost from You Glo Girl! October 2007]
Q: What “flock” has God given you to lead?