Spiritual Foundations of Leadershipනියැදිය

Considering The Miracle and Wonder of Leadership

Having followers is a demonstration that there is some kind of leadership. John Maxwell once said, “If you think you’re a leader and you don’t have anyone following you, you’re just taking a walk.” It is important to ask, where does the intention of people to want to follow and actually follow someone come from? Why don't they set up their own course?

Many leaders think that people follow them for their persuasive abilities, charisma, achievements, offers, fame, among other qualities or attributes; however, in the realm of spiritual leadership, it is important to discover that it is God who makes people want to follow, follow, and keep following a particular leader.

King David once recognized that God is “… who subdues peoples under me” (Psalm 144:2 NIV). He was especially able to experience this when he took office as the new king of Israel. 1 Chronicles chapter 12 provides an interesting description of how the people put themselves under his command, joined his cause, and recognized him as the leader appointed by God. Up to that point, David had shown loyalty to the previous king, trust in God, and determination to fulfill his life’s mission, but he did not yet have the company of key people to come alongside him in his endeavors (especially an army). However, God took it upon Himself to mobilize key people from all spheres of the Israelite society to David, to place themselves at his command, to align themselves with his cause; Verse 22 says that “… Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God” (1 Chronicles 12:22 NIV). David was then able to experience the miracle of leadership, which is God assembling a team of followers or collaborators of heavenly stature for those faithful leaders to whom He has given a task. It’s good to improve your leadership technique, but it’s God who really makes you have followers.

Reflection:

• How does recognizing that it is ultimately God who brings followers to your leadership change your perspective on your leadership style, decisions, and your dependence on divine guidance?