In his Handbook to Leadership, modern American theologian Ken Boa explains the importance of skills, intelligence, and hard work in the “full package” of the servant leader (p. 103). Boa explains that the main thing for a person that God will use to do great things is not our looks, our title, our university degrees, or our wealth. It’s our heart. It’s what we think about God. Do we rightly fear Him, know Him, and love Him? Do we have a relationship with Him at all, or are we, spiritually at least, blind?
One of the benefits of reading history and biographies is that we get a good glimpse of not just the big accomplishments of people, but of their foibles, struggles, and failures before success (and failure). With good context as to upbringing, the environment (social, political, economic, spiritual), and the opportunities of the actor, we get good insight into what decisions they made and the motives that led to their downfall or their successes.
To state the obvious, the Bible is the “Handbook for Godly Leadership.” God’s word is all about the right relationship with Him and advice and instruction for successful living.
There is a lot of wicked teaching out there, and part of that is mamsy pamsy theology. CS Lewis, I suggest, would call it soft soap teaching. It’s easy beliefism, I’ve got a ticket to ride ism. Freedom with no responsibility and no accountability, teaching.
God, in His righteousness (and His incredible sense of humor), uses the weak to shame the strong, the poor to shame the rich, and sometimes the young to shame the old. My sense is that people (young people in particular) are looking for genuine faith. People are not looking for an easy altar call and confirmation from a celebrity pastor that now they are alright to go and do as they please. People are looking for a deep relationship with the Loving Father who knows us and loves us enough to tell us the truth. God is bringing revival worldwide. In odd and incredible ways.
The truth is God is answering our prayers, keeping us safe from all harm, strengthening us, granting our heart’s desires, and making our plans succeed. He is! Despite ourselves, we're succeeding. We don’t see all God’s doing, but nor should we. God brings incredible victory to those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:7-10).
Yes, life is confusing, hard, and sometimes desperate. People are frustrating, our bodies wear, and injustice remains prevalent. It’s true. But God is building His Kingdom, one day and one soul at a time. Jesus will return to “make everything new” and to “repay all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 21:5 and 22:12).
If we want to be the people that God uses to do great things for Him (servant leaders), we must obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures, “love your neighbor as yourself,” and we must lead and serve with a mindset of mercy and grace (James 2:8-12).
I’m more and more mindful that we spend a lot of time on many things (Netflix, X, playing with AI, etc.). But like babes needing to mature from milk to solid food, we need to grow up and learn from God. Today is a great day for growing and leading well. We need to learn the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right.
Learn God’s commandments, store up His commandments, and keep His commandments (Proverbs 19:16, 7:1-4, Deuteronomy 11:22, and Titus 2:13-14).
Yes, we must do our part. God does not instruct us in His ways, guiding and guarding and teaching the humble for no point (Psalms 25:8-9). Indeed, there is a point. He does so that we will act. He expects us to be men and women of action. The point of becoming mature is not to give the nursemaid a break; it’s to let the little tyke learn God’s way so he can be used by God for great works.
We do our part. And God does His. That’s the truth of Scripture. Wait for God to handle difficult people and to make right the injustice you’ve suffered. Yet also know when God is prompting and guiding and instructing you to go and act and fight and defend those that need help. Be evermore confident in God. And keep praying that He raises up more leaders with hearts that love Him, and trust Him, and obey Him.
Dear God, help us to listen well today. Please cleanse our hearts and make us pure. And help us to show our faith by what we do. Amen.
The old Cathedral in downtown Santa Ana, El Salvador (built in 1575!).
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