Bold LeadersSample

Bold Leaders Are: Consistently Faithful

Have you ever heard the saying, “the grass looks greener on the other side?" It actually originated over 2000 years ago as a poetic proverb by Publius Ovidius Naso, better known as Ovid, regarding agriculture and the harvest always looking more fruitful in another man’s field. Isn’t it so true how we can be prone to look at other people’s seasons or lives, wishing we were out of our own situation and in theirs? We think that the grass or harvest is better on the other side or in another person’s field. But what if we started looking at our own side, fields or lives with the perspective that it could be greener or more fruitful if we were to just water it. What growth, fruit, and development could happen in our lives if we were consistently faithful in the season we find ourselves in and trust God is working on our behalf and preparing us for something in our future. Whatever you find yourself in...a season of life, a job, a situation, a circumstance...am I trying to find greener grass somewhere else or am I being consistently faithful and trusting God?

Bold leaders are consistently faithful with what is in their hands and trust that God is preparing them for the seasons to come.

What might have happened if David wasn’t faithful with what was put in his hands after being anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the king of Israel? We know that David was anointed as a small boy but wasn’t appointed as king until the age of 30. That was some 15 years of waiting. He knew he was anointed, but what did he do with that anointing? He was faithful with what was in his hands. 

Before fighting Goliath, we read that “David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem.” What if David would have been entitled, too anointed, and wasn’t faithful tending the sheep? Would he have missed God appointments that were preparing him for future battles? David reflects on the lessons he learned by being consistently faithful to tending the sheep entrusted to him and accredits the experiences as preparation to defeat Goliath. He told Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it...struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; [Goliath] will be like one of them…” This is a quality of a bold leader who is consistently faithful. He proved himself trustworthy with the little and God knew he could be trusted with the more that was ahead. 

Maybe you’re not the obvious or most outgoing leader in the group. You might not see yourself as a David character. Be encouraged, you still have influence capabilities. Moses and Joshua are standout leaders within the Bible, but what about a character that doesn’t get as much mention but he’s still consistently faithful behind the scenes. Maybe you’re like Caleb. Caleb was one of the spies who was consistently faithful with seeing things with a God perspective. He saw the opportunities and possibilities with God on their side. He voiced that to the people and helped bring perspective to those around him. Caleb was faithful to God and to those who were leading. 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS  

• Am I consistent regardless of the ups and downs in life?  
• Do I let the day dictate how I feel or do I tell the day how I’m going to feel?   
• What is currently in my hand that I can be consistently faithful to and trust that God will use it for my good and His glory in the future?  
• Do I see the God possibilities and opportunities which require me to trust God and not myself?   
• What would it look like for me to lead and influence behind the scenes even if I’m not leading up front?

PRAYER

Lord, help me to be faithful with the little and know that it is preparing me for the more you have for me. I might be going through trouble, but I will take heart, for you have overcome the world. Help me to continue to sow into and be faithful in the season I find myself in. I trust that you are working all things out for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose. Amen.