The Heart of a Leader: Lessons From the Life of David Exemplo

 Day One — Patience

In a world where everything — information, food orders, the ability to communicate, etc. — is literally at our fingertips, patience has become a forgotten virtue. Why wait when you can get it right now? 

But great leaders understand the power and importance of patience because they know that God’s calling on our lives is a process. 

In 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel anoints David as the future king of Israel. The Bible doesn’t ever note if David knew exactly what Samuel was anointing him for, but it does say that Samuel stated that the anointing meant David had been chosen by God. 

Chosen by God. David must have felt the weight and excitement of those words. Yet as soon as Samuel left, David returned to his day job — protecting his father’s sheep and playing his harp. It would be years before David fully understood his calling and saw it come to life.

Just because you’ve been called to something, doesn’t mean you’re ready now. As leaders, we need to understand that God’s timing is perfect, even when it stretches our patience. If David had ascended the throne right after he was anointed, it would have been chaos. The only group he had led at that point was sheep! 

David practiced patience, and in that season of waiting, God prepared him for what was to come.

Has God called you to something that you’ve yet to see come to life? Or maybe it’s a dream God has placed on your heart that seems far out of reach. What are some ways you can practice patience and prepare during this waiting season?