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Prepare Your Heart

To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.

Read God’s Word

1 Kings 1
John 3:22-36

A Verse for Today

Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.

1 Kings 1:5-6 (CSB): “Adonijah son of Haggith kept exalting himself, saying, ‘I will be king!’ He prepared chariots, cavalry, and fifty men to run ahead of him. But his father had never once infuriated him by asking, ‘Why did you do that?’ In addition, he was quite handsome and was born after Absalom.”

Reflecting on God’s Word

Nature abhors a vacuum, and leadership is no different. When someone relinquishes their rightful authority, you can take it to the bank that someone is going to step in to fill that void.

In the verses I have chosen for today, we read of Adonijah, King David’s fourth son, who was born to his wife, Haggith. As King David was ailing, Adonijah took upon himself the right to be king. Without his father’s firm grip on the steering wheel of leadership, his son tried to fill the vacuum.

The problem was compounded when we realize that David apparently knew about it but did nothing. He didn’t even ask him, “Why did you do that?” (1 Kings 1:6)

Whether you’re the CEO of a large corporation, the owner of a small business, the pastor of a church, or the parent of a child, you have been trusted with leadership authority. You are to use that authority for the betterment of those who follow your leadership. They should be better off because you are leading them.

But for one reason or another, some people take their hands off the steering wheel, and for a time, no one is leading. You can take it to the bank that someone eventually is going to step in and take that position. And they may not have good motives. Those under their authority could suffer.

Some people reading this article might think that this does not apply to them since they don’t have a leadership position. If that is you, I would encourage you to think again. Everyone influences someone else. As John Maxwell has said, “Leadership is influence.” If you influence even one other person, you are a leader, my friend.

So, whoever you are leading/influencing, you owe it to them to take your position seriously. If you see people or things getting out of line, step in to remedy the problem. If you believe the Lord is leading you in a direction for the betterment of those who are following you, lead compassionately and competently.

Because if you don’t, someone else will step in. That person’s motives might not be as good and pure as yours are. And the people who follow will suffer for it. So, for the betterment of those who follow your leadership, don’t take your hands off the wheel.

Spend Time in Prayer

  • Ask God to help you to realize how you are a leader and who you are influencing?
  • Ask God to help you take your role seriously for the betterment of those who follow you.
  • Ask God to never let you take your hands off the wheel until it is time for your to turn over leadership to someone else.

Going Deeper

If you want to dig a little deeper into what Christian leadership is, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:

“What is Christian leadership?”

Sharing

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Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)