The First Test of Leadership

I remember asking the teacher if this information that she was giving was going to be on the test. If it wasn’t on the test, then what’s the point of learning it? I was a bit of an obnoxious student and I wasn’t interested in learning as much as passing the class. There are tests that come around in life that have much to do about the lessons I’ve learned previously. These tests can also challenge my character and my values. Every now and then a situation comes along that really has frustrated a member of my team and it requires a decision on my part. This is not always easy and often neither side ends up satisfied with the decision. I’ve learned that sometimes you don’t have all the information you need to make a decision, it just has to be made based on the information you currently have.

I’m not sure about the time between Saul’s anointing and this first incident. It seems that Saul when back to his regular life of helping his Dad on the farm. When the Ammonites siege Jabesh Gilead, things changed pretty quickly for Saul. Check this out…

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, ‘This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.’ Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

(Saul and the men of Israel complete obliterate the Ammonites and freed Jabesh Gilead)

15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration. (1 Samuel 11:6-8,15 NIV)

My favorite part is: “The Spirit of God came powerfully upon Him”. Saul was open to the Spirit of God using Him to lead. Saul passed his first test in a big way. He was successful because of the Presence of the Spirit of God, not because of his amazing military genius.

I think that leaders sometimes start thinking that they are as good as everyone says they are and humility flies out the window. I believe that Godly leaders should give the Lord the credit for their decision and their leadership gifts. All good things come from Him anyway.

I want the Spirit of God to be all over me as I lead in my family, in church and in my work. I don’t want to make flippant decisions that affect anyone else with out the powerful Spirit of God on me. I don’t want to be self-centered. I do want wisdom and incredible discernment. I believe that I can pass any test of leadership no matter how big or how small if the Lord’s Spirit is all over me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne