Inspirational Leadership

I have grown over the years to appreciate good leadership and great teaching from the Word. I have been a inspired and encouraged by Louie Giglio, Andy Stanley, Zig Ziglar, Max Lucado, Charles Swindoll and Andy Andrews to name a few. These men are great teachers/speakers but more importantly, they walk with the Lord. They have challenged me to be a better husband, dad and friend. I believe great leadership has great structure and balance. These men all have godly leadership around them to support, encourage and balance them.

I read a bit of the back-story of King David’s mighty men. They strengthened him as the king and they were respected and probably feared by David’s enemies. I picture them being like the Navy Seals of David’s administration. Check this out…

15 Three of the thirty chiefs came down to David to the rock at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 16 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 17 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should do this!” he said. “Should I drink the blood of these men who went at the risk of their lives?” Because they risked their lives to bring it back, David would not drink it.

Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors. (1 Chronicles 11:15-19 NIV)

I picture David speaking of his thirst for the water of Bethlehem as a sigh and not a formal request. He was probably a bit discouraged, hungry and thirsty and made the comment in passing, but his top three mighty men picked it up. I would have loved to seen his face when they returned with the water. David knew what the retrieval of that water had costs them. They literally risked their lives to get the king a drink of water from his hometown well. David was humbled by this incredible act of service. He did not expect this and he couldn’t drink it. I think he used the water as a tool of worship before the Lord. David, even in his early days as king, showed great humility and honor before the Lord. His leadership profoundly inspired the people around him. His leadership came from simply following the Lord each day.

I want to simply follow the Lord today and if someone else notices and follows Him too, that will bring honor to the Lord. This journey has never been about me – it’s always been about Him.

Pressing On!

Dwayne