Walk in the Narrowsಮಾದರಿ

Trust in humility and be a led man

I don’t consider myself to be a "knower" of culture and people, but I do consider myself to be a man who is quick to listen and slow to speak. I have actively tried to make that an integral part of my life, and it has slowly shown me what a lost skill it really is. To sit, wait and listen. To invite people to talk, to ask the right questions, and to be okay with not needing to talk, speak or give an opinion.

In the workplace and generally in society, there seems to be a "biggest gorilla in the room" mentality amongst men. The loudest voice, the sharpest mind to mouth, the quickest ideas to the table, are the ones, when said with absolute confidence, that people tend to go with. There is, however, a particular strength and anchor that holds in a different bedrock, that can be a different place to weight or tether ourselves to.

I call this being a "led man". A man who knows he is not the biggest gorilla in the room. He doesn’t have all the best ideas, the right course or the voice that always needs to be heard above the rest. A humble man who has decided to be led and to listen, but not in some passive, powerless way like leaves being blown along the ground, moving as the wind chooses.

This is different, it’s a deep and sacrificial walk. For Jesus, it was "not my will but yours" as he went to the cross. King David often "enquired of the Lord". Saul turned to Samuel, but not enough. Moses constantly sought God, Nehemiah did too. Daniel, Ezra and many of the early church men in Acts did the same.

Okay, so how do we do it? How do we live this way in our faith and step out boldly into the mission field where Jesus is? Here are two things to pray:

1. Convict me Holy Spirit—It is my belief that this conviction will come from the Holy Spirit. As he dwells in us, he has the work of convicting us of sin, righteousness and judgement. He will bring a sharp and living clarity to our lives in this regard.
2. Make your ways known to me, Lord.
3. Invite the Lord to show you his will. This is not a "take two pills and you’re done" prescription. This is a daily choice. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

It’s from this place of being led by God, walking in humility, that you will see an overflow in your life of the king and his kingdom resources. You don’t need to lead the way as the biggest gorilla, leave him in his jungle.