Recently, many of us have had the opportunity to read the book Daring Devotion filled with stories of men and women who hungered to live their lives for God, and some who even gave their last breath for His cause. Leaders that God chose and used to do amazing works…so amazing that they are still told today. We have read stories all throughout the Bible of valiant kings and leaders of God’s people who witnessed dumbfounding miracles displayed at the hand of God. We admire these people for their great courage and faith, but these are stories from the past. These people, and the lives God used them to touch, have passed away and been promoted to Glory. They can no longer do the work that God needs to accomplish today. God needs new leader in every generation that will willingly arise at His prompting and continue the work that He started at the beginning of time. How does God choose His leaders? From simple observation, I have noticed that God often uses the most unlikely candidates to be his leaders. Look at Moses, Gideon, Samuel, David, Paul, Timothy, fishermen, tax collectors and the list goes on. Men and women born into the most insignificant tribes and familial lines and orders. Many who were looked down upon because of their occupations or lack of education. Why did God choose these men and women? Because man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. What did God see in their hearts that made them a candidate for leadership?
I believe the first thing God is looking for in His leaders is a willingness to be a follower. That statement sounds a little ironic, and perhaps even contradictory, but allow me to explain. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Basically what he is saying here is “Follow me, and I will teach you how to lead others to do the same.” Paul, a follower of Jesus Christ and leader of the church says in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Are you “…persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor power, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”? If you are, then your desire to share this truth with others will grow and propel you to be a mouthpiece for God. When God sees a willing heart in you to follow His lead, then don’t be surprised if He prompts you to do just that.
Secondly, I believe that God is looking for humble servant leaders. Not people who are proud of the talents and skills that they have to offer God, but those who understand they are nothing without God, and that it is His power alone that brings forth anything that is profitable. According to James 4:6, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” When one is proud, they steal the glory that belongs to God, and claims it for themselves. No wonder this is such a great offence to God! On the flip side, a humble person will recognize his weakness and point the glory back to God. We see this example from David in Psalm 18 after a great victory in battle:
Vs. 1 “I love Thee, O Lord, my strength.” Vs. 32 “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Vs. 34 “He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.” Vs. 35 “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.”
David doesn’t claim the victory of the battle for himself, but rather glorifies God for ALL that was accomplished. It is vitally important that we not only start humble, but remain humble through our service to God.
Sometimes pride can gradually increase in our hearts as we watch God use us in great ways, and we falsely believe we have done it in our own strength, desiring praise for ourselves.
This can lead to an apathy toward the leading of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and we seek to please men for their admiration toward us instead of pleasing God. It is at that moment that we become useless to God, and He will seek for a new leader.
Lastly, I believe God is looking for leaders who will diligently seek His wisdom and guidance before making all decisions, even if the decision seems obvious or right in their own eyes. We are familiar with Probers 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy path.” Once again, David is a great example. Multiple times in scripture we see David going to God asking if he should pursue an enemy or enter into a battle. In one instance, David’s two wives were captured along with many of the Philistines they were dwelling with at the time. In the middle of his grief, he stops and inquires of God, “Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them?” That answer seems so obvious. What man would not naturally think it is the right choice to go after his family and seek to protect them without the need to ask God first. However, David trusted that God knew more than he did, and he sought God’s guidance and approval before doing what his heart and mind naturally pushed him to do. God did grant him the victory once again, and enabled him to bring back his family safely, but what an incredible display of trust in our omniscient, omnipotent God.
God is looking for faithful followers, who will seek His face and willingly do as He says.
Our ultimate goal as “leaders” is to draw others to be followers of Christ with us.
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