2 Samuel 18
Today’s Passage: 2 Samuel 18
We are all called to lead in our lives. We are called to lead in our workplaces. We are called to lead in our marriages/families. We are called to lead in our friendships. We are called to lead in our churches. But leadership is messy because people are messy.
But we cannot forget... leadership is our calling. God uses us as we lead to impact the world.
Leaders are often put in crossfire. Often leaders lose even when they win. This is the cost of leadership. We see this with David here.
He wanted his people to win out against the evil of Absalom yet that was his son, and he wanted him to remain safe. As we read at the end of our story... David lost even though he won. He lost his son. He lost a part of himself.
WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT LEADERSHIP?
1) Leaders often win and lose at the same time - stay faithful.
Charles Stanley once said, “Do the right thing and leave the consequences to God.” This is what we have to do in leadership. We have to answer “What is the right thing?” not “What is the best?Easiest? Most comfortable?” We have to know what is right and not compromise.
2) Leaders listen to other people - we need others to see clearly.
Proverbs tells us that there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Leaders take responsibility but beware of lone wolf leadership in your life or in others. Rarely are good decisions made in isolation. David wanted to go out and fight. They kindly showed him why this was a bad idea... and he listened. He didn’t have to listen. He was the KING but he did because that is often where wisdom is found.
3) Leaders feel the weight - there are people at stake.
True leadership is weighty because people’s lives are at stake. We have to feel the weight as David did. Only when we feel the weight of people can we lead effectively.
How is God calling you to lead out with intentionality and without compromise in your life? Work? School? Family? Friends? You have influence. Leadership is influence. People ARE following. The question is... where are you leading them?
Written By: Nick Parsons
We are all called to lead in our lives. We are called to lead in our workplaces. We are called to lead in our marriages/families. We are called to lead in our friendships. We are called to lead in our churches. But leadership is messy because people are messy.
But we cannot forget... leadership is our calling. God uses us as we lead to impact the world.
Leaders are often put in crossfire. Often leaders lose even when they win. This is the cost of leadership. We see this with David here.
He wanted his people to win out against the evil of Absalom yet that was his son, and he wanted him to remain safe. As we read at the end of our story... David lost even though he won. He lost his son. He lost a part of himself.
WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT LEADERSHIP?
1) Leaders often win and lose at the same time - stay faithful.
Charles Stanley once said, “Do the right thing and leave the consequences to God.” This is what we have to do in leadership. We have to answer “What is the right thing?” not “What is the best?Easiest? Most comfortable?” We have to know what is right and not compromise.
2) Leaders listen to other people - we need others to see clearly.
Proverbs tells us that there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Leaders take responsibility but beware of lone wolf leadership in your life or in others. Rarely are good decisions made in isolation. David wanted to go out and fight. They kindly showed him why this was a bad idea... and he listened. He didn’t have to listen. He was the KING but he did because that is often where wisdom is found.
3) Leaders feel the weight - there are people at stake.
True leadership is weighty because people’s lives are at stake. We have to feel the weight as David did. Only when we feel the weight of people can we lead effectively.
How is God calling you to lead out with intentionality and without compromise in your life? Work? School? Family? Friends? You have influence. Leadership is influence. People ARE following. The question is... where are you leading them?
Written By: Nick Parsons
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