“For the scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, ‘I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you, and so that my fame might spread throughout the earth.’ ” – Romans 9:17, NLT
Jesus, in my life, this is my deep and genuine desire, that you would display your power through me and that your fame might spread everywhere.
The thought in Romans 9:17 is a reference concerning Pharaoh in Exodus 9:16, “But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” (ESV)
I’m not sure if Pharaoh ever got this or understood it!
Many leaders never get this or understand it!
There is too much personal glory in leadership. Too much about the leader and not enough about Jesus…His plan and purpose!
As a leader in ministry, I need to always remember whom my leadership is all about. It is certainly not about me, but about Jesus and His purpose for me. At the Leaders Who Last seminars,I always say that leadership is not about the leader, but about Jesus and those He has privileged the leader to lead.
In 2 Samuel 5:12 we find this concerning King David;
“And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.” (ESV)
David understood two things:
- God had chosen him and placed him in a leadership role
- God chose and placed him not for his own sake, but for the sake of the people
I think about this quite often and ask the Lord to help me never forget that He placed me in leadership, and that He did it for the sake of the people I serve, not for my sake.
Recently, I was struck with John 7:18, which conveys a similar idea, “The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.” (ESV)
I neither want to speak on my own authority or seek my own glory.
I once served under a leader who signed off his emails and letters with, “For Jesus Fame.”
Lord Jesus, by your grace help my leadership to be about you and for you, so that your fame might spread throughout the earth. Help me be led by you, empowered by you and honoring to you in the leadership responsibilities you have allowed me to have.
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