Lead Strong: Leadership Lessons From The Bible - Part 3Sample

Leaders Are Willing

Mary is the most fascinating person in the Bible to me besides Jesus. Although there isn’t a full biography of her journey, the parts that we do see make me want to lean in closer. Mary was a woman of strength, obedience and steadfast faith who trusted in God. But all of this was only made possible because Mary was willing.

The word willing is defined as “ready, eager, or prepared to do something.” That is the perfect word to describe Mary. In the Magnificent prayer, Mary breaks into spontaneous praise (think Glee, the B.C. edition) using words like “rejoice,” “blessed,” and “great things” all referring to her prenuptial, illegitimate, teenage pregnancy. If I put myself in Mary’s shoes – in the epicenter of a scandal where trust would be lost, judgments would be made, and everyone would assume the worst – I don’t think my Magnificent would sound quite the same. Mine would use words like “burden,” “trial,” and “affliction.” I probably wouldn’t be willing; I’d be dreading, questioning and afraid. Not Mary – instead, she chose to be ready, eager, and excited about what God wanted to do in her and through her. She was willing.

When we are willing, God is able to work in us and through us. Mary’s story is so neat because it is a perfect example of this on different levels. Because of her willingness, God was able to work in and through Mary both physically, by bringing salvation to the world through Jesus, and spiritually, by growing her trust in God. Had Mary been unwilling or closed to God’s plan for her, she would have missed out on the opportunities and blessings that God had in store.

As leaders, God can work in us and through us in so many ways – spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, mentally. Maybe because of your willingness God creates a family through you or a ministry to serve in a way only you can or a heart that is so in tune with Him that people can’t help but be drawn to you. I don’t know the plans that God has for us, but let’s have a ready, eager and willing heart so that we don’t miss out on God’s best.

How willing are you? Ask Him to search your heart so that you can be prepared for any ask He makes of you.

By Kaylee Zentai