Chosen to lead

So he asked Jessi, “are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jessi answered. “He is tending the sheep.“

1 Samuel 16:11

When thinking of a king, our earthly knowledge and fascination tends to lead us to the strongest, tallest, most handsome man around. But the thoughts of God are much different than the thoughts of man, and he looks for someone with his own heart to lead his people.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7

As God was choosing someone to lead his people, he wasn’t looking for someone that would make themselves known, he was looking for someone who would make him known. He was looking for someone who reflected his attributes to the people, someone who had his heart, a heart filled with love.

Someone who is chosen to lead is someone who is willing to serve.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right path for his name sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

God can choose to use anyone for his work, but he chooses to use those with a humble heart. Someone willing to serve others, to lead them to Peace, to love them above themselves. God wants to use someone who looks out for the cares of others more than they care for themselves. This is the way of a shepherd this is the attitude and heart of David and the reflection of Jesus on earth.

When we strive and fight to be number one we are using our own might: always exhausted, never fulfilled, never ending. When we make God number one, we become humble servants, serving Him and others as He lifts our head and strengthens our hearts.

In some of my busiest and craziest moments you will see a smile on my face and I will dance around the room like there’s no tomorrow. That extra skip in my step is only from God because In those moments he is the one that gives me strength. When I keep my eyes on him and choose to serve him, I am able to serve others with all of my heart.

God chose me to lead others well. But he had to teach me how to do that.

Multiple times God has had to humble me, and I know full well when those times are. In those moments I am stressed, I am snappy, and I’m a bit short-fused. Those are the moments when I am trying to do things in my own strength. But as soon as I realize it, I readjust my stance, take time to rest, and make sure the only audience I’m looking to is God.

Truly the only way to be like the shepherd, the only way to lead like him, is by taking a step back, watching him walk, not trying to lead, but following along.

To be called to lead you must follow well. You must not have the last say but willing to listen to the last word.

To be called to lead, you must shepherd your flock well. You must be willing to do whatever it is you ask of another. And sometimes, what you need of another you must be willing to do first.

To lead like Jesus you need to be like Jesus. You need to lay down your life, take up your cross and help carry another’s. To be like Jesus you don’t need to be number one you need to make Him number One, because He was the unlikely One, the Humble One. He road into town on a donkey, washed His disciples feet, ate with the tax collectors and prostitutes, and bent down beside the humiliated woman in the sand.

If you are Chosen to Lead, keep your eyes on Jesus, by getting down on your knees and shepherding your flock well.