Commitment to Leadership – 1 Samuel 14:6-7

6 Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come on now, let's go across to these uncircumcised pagans. Maybe God will work for us. There's no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when he sets his mind to it." 

7 His armor bearer said, "Go ahead. Do what you think best. I'm with you all the way."

– 1 Samuel 14:6-7

Commitment to Leadership

Leadership is difficult.  Decisions, actions, the future, the past, what to do and what not to do all weigh heavily on the one carrying the mantle of leadership.  It's often a thankless position because the leader is always out in front for everyone to see, and it's easy for those following to become critical and skeptical because they have the luxury of distance and the ability to decide whether or not they want to follow.  The leader however, has no choice.  The leader must lead, despite the grumbling, and the second-guessing, and the opposition from those whose opinions flow freely from wagging tongues.

If we ever want to get past the position of being a tongue-wagging, talking head, we have to be willing to be a Godly follower.  A Godly follower doesn't follow blindly - that would be foolish.  But they seek the face of God and His will, and then they allow God to put them into a position of service and support to an appointed leader for a specific season and time – all for His purpose and for His Glory.  That being said . . . once under a God-appointed leader, we must learn to serve and to support them in the tasks that God has set before them.  

We need to be "Yes!" followers!  We need to have a willing and a cooperative attitude.  We need to say "I'm with you all the way!"  We need to show God that we trust Him and that we will do our part to see that His purpose is accomplished through the can-do attitudes of the leadership and the team He recruited.  We need to honor God's call on our lives to follow – without attitude; without suspicion; without criticism, and without reservation, and make no mistake about it . . . we are ALL followers.  That's right . . . ALL OF US!  Even leaders are followers because Christ is THE Leader over ALL Leaders.  He is the Head, and the call on our lives are to follow His Way.

So . . . IF we are following HIS way, then that means that our "expert" opinions, and our "should've - could've - would've" attitudes, and our highly inflated understanding of every situation need to be sent packing in the opposite direction.  IF, we are TRULY followers of Christ, then we will support the Leaders He has placed us under, with glad, and strong, and joyful, and cooperative hearts, and like Jonathan's armor bearer say, "Go ahead. Do what you think best. I'm with you all the way!"

Prayer

Lord Jesus, YOU are the Way, and Your way is for us to follow and to be obedient and cooperative to those You have put over us.  Forgive us for the times when we grumble and let our attitudes turn sour over our leaders.  Help us to be supportive, can-do followers so that Your Will, Your Glory, and Your Purpose is realized.  Help us Lord, to follow and to always say, "I'm with You all the way!"

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard