Do you trust God to guide your leadership? (209-4)

God has given every leader a purpose for living and leaders can trust Him to guide them. Read John 1:19-28.

John the Baptist was the God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus. John’s birth was foretold in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:5. John was a unique leader. He wore odd clothes, ate strange foods and preached an unusual message to the Judeans who went into the wasteland to see him. John had no power or position in the Jewish political system, but he spoke with almost irresistible authority. People were moved by his words because he spoke the truth, challenging the people to turn from their sins and baptizing them as a symbol of their repentance. John the Baptist believed God was directing his purpose and that allowed him to become a leader of great courage and great passion.

Leaders today live in a time when all forms of authority are being challenged in favor of subjective, personal autonomy. The quest for autonomy seems to overpower even the Christian leader’s knowledge that God has a plan for His people and are dependent on Him for guidance. Yet, the Scriptures indicate that an autonomous mindset is a mark of foolishness since it ignores a Christian leader’s fundamental dependence on God. Wise Christian leaders know the Lord’s lovingkindness, great compassion and complete faithfulness make Him the supreme object of personal reliance and that God alone is above all authority.

Christian leaders today may be tempted to complain that “my way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God” (Isaiah 40:27), but doing so means judging according to appearances not according to reality. There are only two possible perceptions of God’s character and a leader’s circumstances, and each leader will choose one to govern their leadership philosophy. Leaders will either view God’s character in light of their circumstances, or their circumstances in light of God’s character. When a leader chooses the former, they tend to look away from God and toward their own wisdom not on God’s plan and guidance. Christian leaders will find great courage and passion when they trust God’s plan and guidance in their leadership assignment.