My Monday Morning Cup | What is Godly Leadership?

Despite an enormous embarrassment of riches, knowledge, and information, godly leadership appears to be hard to find in our present day age. Of course, leading people is challenging any time. Moses faced leadership challenges, as did other leaders we read about in the Bible. Recent events bear witness that today’s leaders face a sea of opposition and a myriad of obstacles. Godly leaders know that they can rely on God’s word and the power of the Holy Spirit to shed insight on decision-making and problem-solving.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

Godly leaders are prayerful people who seek the Lord’s direction, guidance, and wisdom to execute their responsibilities in a manner pleasing to God and in accordance with His will. Godly leaders care and respond to problems timely. They are able to prioritize and identify what must be done first as they juggle a myriad of concerns and responsibilities.

Just like Moses grappled with how to free the Israelites from Egyptian enslavement, godly leaders face impossible problems. They realize that they cannot do it all alone and therefore are able to identify talent, assess skills, and properly delegate duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Godly leaders are collaborative, creative, and consistent. They enlist the help of others, seek innovative solutions to complex problems, and effectively communicate where they stand.

Godly leaders engage wisdom and employ discernment when faced with challenges. We live in a time overflowing with information but severely lacking in wisdom and discernment. That’s why it is vital today’s leaders incorporate Godly wisdom to discern what is right and true from that which is false and unfruitful. Like grace and faith, wisdom is a gift from God that is available to us if we are willing to ask.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5 (NIV)

Godly leaders inspire trust and build confidence in order to influence people to work towards achieving a shared objective. So, leaders are careful not to promise things that they are not sure they will be able to deliver. They cast a vision and set a mission that help individuals and teams know what must be done and how best to do it. Godly leaders show trust to get trust.

A godly leader is empathetic and exhibits high emotional intelligence. They listen well and demonstrate genuine care and concern for those they lead and impact through their leadership. They build up people, focusing on their strengths, rather than tear them down by harping on their negatives. Let’s face it: most of us are well aware of our shortcomings or where we think we are lacking. Godly leaders get the best out of others by celebrating what they do well and removing obstacles that prevent people from releasing their gifts, maximizing their talents, and harnessing their treasures to further the collective objectives of the team.

Godly leaders read, study, know, and apply God’s word to every aspect of their lives. Scripture lays the foundation of wisdom and discernment that the godly leader needs in order to bring value to the project and to the people they lead. It is through knowing God’s word that godly leaders grow to become servant leaders, just as Christ served His disciples and the throngs of people that came to be near Him.

Leadership as a “process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.”

Peter G. Northouse
Leadership: Theory and Practice

A simple thing that those wanting to be godly leaders can do is remember people’s names and call them by their name when engaging with them. People want to know that they are valued. Among other things, taking the time to learn their names shows individuals that they are more than a tool to accomplish a task. When you demonstrate that you value others, you build trust. And when it comes to godly leadership, trust is everything.

Finally, godly leaders keep their eyes planted on the Kingdom of God. As godly leaders, we recognize that we are working for the Lord, no matter what we are doing, and that when we lead well, we honor and glorify God. Ultimately, for believers, doing our part to advance the Kingdom of God is the highest calling. Godly leaders point people to Jesus and help others fix their eyes on Him.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you think of a godly leader, what traits come to mind?
2. What characteristics come to your mind when you consider godly leadership?
3. Are there practices that exist that you believe godly leaders must take part in?
4. Who are some of your favorite godly leaders?
5. In what arena of life do you see the greatest need for godly leadership?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for godly leaders. Help each of us whom you’ve called to positions of responsibility become leaders that glorify You in all that we think, say, and do. Thank You for Jesus. In His name we do pray. Amen.

Today, I’m stoked to begin a new ministry role as the Foodservice Manager with Our Calling, a faith-based organization encouraging homeless people to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle through building lasting relationships and by making disciples on the streets. This new opportunity will allow me to blend nearly twenty-five years of food and leadership experience with being the hands and feet of Jesus. Our Calling is a great organization and Sweet T and I are both looking forward to seeing what the Lord does through this fantastic, fresh opportunity.

Under Christ, for the Glory of Christ.

Blessings,

The Devotional Guy™

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