Reactive?
When I imagine a strong, effective leader, one image comes to mind: my father. I remember many circumstances where he was confronted with extremely emotional teenage girls but responded with grace and patience. At work, he dealt with unhappy employees and stressful situations daily, but never let that influence his attitude at home. He was calm and collected whenever a crisis occurred and he handled disappointments and frustrations with patience and faith.
As I was reading 1 and 2 Samuel recently, I recognized many of these traits in King David. His life was threatened and he even had a spear thrown at him multiple times, but he continued to sing and praise God. He stepped away graciously from a confrontation and spared King Saul’s life more than once. Even though he was on the run, falsely accused, and his life was in danger, he chose to respond with grace. He never retaliated in anger or frustration through years of living in fear. His heart was to honor God’s leader, to follow God’s authority and to live in peace as much as was possible.
That challenges me. When I’m confronted, I don’t find it easy to be patient. I want resolution to conflict and I want vindication when I’ve been wronged. But, I want to be like David: a man who patiently waits for God to work it out to His glory. I want to have David’s attitude of praise and patience in the midst of unjust trials.
I want to be more like my dad, as a leader, a parent and a teacher. I want my attitude to reflect God’s grace in my life and my submission to God’s authority. I want my faith to shine in my ability to trust God no matter what “crisis” is occurring.
How about you? Are you a leader like David? Have you waiting on God’s timing too? Praying for us to have David’s heart-one that loves and honors God!
Good post.