Lead by Faith
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves in positions of leadership, whether we realize it or not. From managing our own lives to guiding others or even leading fellow leaders, we all play a role in shaping the world around us. But how can we grow as leaders? How can we lead with courage, joy, confidence, vision, patience, and perseverance?
To answer these questions, let's turn to one of the most iconic stories in the Bible: David and Goliath. This tale of triumph against overwhelming odds offers profound insights into leadership and faith that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
The story begins with two armies facing each other across a valley. On one side, the Philistines, with their champion Goliath – a towering figure over nine feet tall, clad in bronze armor, wielding a spear with a shaft as thick as a weaver's rod. On the other side, the Israelites, paralyzed with fear at the sight of this seemingly invincible foe.
Enter David, a young shepherd boy who arrives at the camp to bring supplies to his brothers. Unlike the seasoned warriors around him, David is not intimidated by Goliath's size or reputation. Instead, he sees an opportunity to defend the honor of God and his people.
This stark contrast between David's courage and the army's fear prompts us to ask three crucial questions about our own leadership:
1. What is your fruit?
2. How do you feel?
3. Where is your faith?
Let's examine each of these questions in turn.
To answer these questions, let's turn to one of the most iconic stories in the Bible: David and Goliath. This tale of triumph against overwhelming odds offers profound insights into leadership and faith that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
The story begins with two armies facing each other across a valley. On one side, the Philistines, with their champion Goliath – a towering figure over nine feet tall, clad in bronze armor, wielding a spear with a shaft as thick as a weaver's rod. On the other side, the Israelites, paralyzed with fear at the sight of this seemingly invincible foe.
Enter David, a young shepherd boy who arrives at the camp to bring supplies to his brothers. Unlike the seasoned warriors around him, David is not intimidated by Goliath's size or reputation. Instead, he sees an opportunity to defend the honor of God and his people.
This stark contrast between David's courage and the army's fear prompts us to ask three crucial questions about our own leadership:
1. What is your fruit?
2. How do you feel?
3. Where is your faith?
Let's examine each of these questions in turn.
What is your fruit?
In the story, we see two very different types of fruit. The Israelite army, including David's own brother Eliab, exhibits anger, blame, and fear. Their lives seem out of control, marked by broken communication and envy. On the other hand, David displays courage, bravery, and fearlessness. He's ready to face the giant, confident in his ability to overcome.
As leaders, we must honestly assess the fruit in our own lives. What do others see when they interact with us? Are we constantly angry, on edge, or giving in to our worst impulses? Or do we exhibit self-control, integrity, and courage in the face of challenges?
As leaders, we must honestly assess the fruit in our own lives. What do others see when they interact with us? Are we constantly angry, on edge, or giving in to our worst impulses? Or do we exhibit self-control, integrity, and courage in the face of challenges?
How do you feel?
Beneath our outward actions lie our emotions – the seat of our heart. The Israelites were terrified, seeing no possibility of victory against Goliath. David, however, felt confident and eager to fight, drawing strength from his past experiences of God's deliverance.
Many of us can relate more to the fearful Israelites than to the confident David. We're often filled with anxiety, worry, guilt, or shame. But recognizing these emotions is the first step toward addressing them and growing as leaders.
Many of us can relate more to the fearful Israelites than to the confident David. We're often filled with anxiety, worry, guilt, or shame. But recognizing these emotions is the first step toward addressing them and growing as leaders.
Where is your faith?
At the core of our behavior and emotions lies our faith – the fundamental trust we place in something or someone. The Israelites had placed their faith in human leadership, specifically King Saul. They saw themselves as "servants of Saul" rather than servants of the living God.
David's faith, in contrast, was firmly rooted in the Lord. He declared, "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." His confidence came not from his own abilities, but from his trust in God's power and faithfulness.
This is a crucial lesson for us as leaders. Where do we place our ultimate trust? In our own abilities, our resources, our connections? Or in the God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again?
The story of David and Goliath isn't just about overcoming giants or facing our fears. At its heart, it's a story about trusting in the Lord. David's victory wasn't due to his skill with a sling, but because he allowed God to fight the battle through him.
This points us to an even greater truth – the coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate champion who defeated not just a physical giant, but the spiritual enemies of sin and death. Just as David's victory empowered the Israelite army to pursue their enemies, Christ's victory empowers us to live courageously and confidently in our daily lives and leadership roles.
David's faith, in contrast, was firmly rooted in the Lord. He declared, "The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine." His confidence came not from his own abilities, but from his trust in God's power and faithfulness.
This is a crucial lesson for us as leaders. Where do we place our ultimate trust? In our own abilities, our resources, our connections? Or in the God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again?
The story of David and Goliath isn't just about overcoming giants or facing our fears. At its heart, it's a story about trusting in the Lord. David's victory wasn't due to his skill with a sling, but because he allowed God to fight the battle through him.
This points us to an even greater truth – the coming of Jesus Christ, the ultimate champion who defeated not just a physical giant, but the spiritual enemies of sin and death. Just as David's victory empowered the Israelite army to pursue their enemies, Christ's victory empowers us to live courageously and confidently in our daily lives and leadership roles.
So how can we apply these lessons to grow as leaders?
1. Examine your fruit: Be honest about the outcomes and behaviors in your life. Are you producing the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Or are you seeing negative fruit like anger, fear, and selfishness?
2. Reflect on your emotions: Take time to understand what's happening in your heart. Are you constantly anxious, worried, or ashamed? Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them.
3. Evaluate your faith: Where are you placing your ultimate trust? In yourself, in others, in your circumstances? Or in the God who has proven Himself faithful throughout history?
4. Remember your champion: Just as David stood in the place of Israel, Jesus Christ stands in our place. His victory over sin and death is our victory. We can lead with confidence not because of our own strength, but because of what He has accomplished.
5. Step out in faith: Like David, we're called to face our "giants" with courage, knowing that the battle ultimately belongs to the Lord. This might mean having a difficult conversation, making a tough decision, or stepping into a new role or responsibility.
Growing as a leader isn't about becoming more self-reliant or developing an unshakeable ego. Instead, it's about learning to trust more fully in God, allowing His strength to work through our weaknesses, and His wisdom to guide our decisions.
As we face the challenges of leadership – whether in our personal lives, our families, our workplaces, or our communities – may we remember the example of David. May we have the courage to step forward, the humility to rely on God's strength rather than our own, and the faith to believe that with God, all things are possible.
In doing so, we'll not only grow as leaders ourselves but inspire and empower others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of courageous, faith-filled leadership that can truly change the world.
2. Reflect on your emotions: Take time to understand what's happening in your heart. Are you constantly anxious, worried, or ashamed? Recognizing these feelings is the first step toward addressing them.
3. Evaluate your faith: Where are you placing your ultimate trust? In yourself, in others, in your circumstances? Or in the God who has proven Himself faithful throughout history?
4. Remember your champion: Just as David stood in the place of Israel, Jesus Christ stands in our place. His victory over sin and death is our victory. We can lead with confidence not because of our own strength, but because of what He has accomplished.
5. Step out in faith: Like David, we're called to face our "giants" with courage, knowing that the battle ultimately belongs to the Lord. This might mean having a difficult conversation, making a tough decision, or stepping into a new role or responsibility.
Growing as a leader isn't about becoming more self-reliant or developing an unshakeable ego. Instead, it's about learning to trust more fully in God, allowing His strength to work through our weaknesses, and His wisdom to guide our decisions.
As we face the challenges of leadership – whether in our personal lives, our families, our workplaces, or our communities – may we remember the example of David. May we have the courage to step forward, the humility to rely on God's strength rather than our own, and the faith to believe that with God, all things are possible.
In doing so, we'll not only grow as leaders ourselves but inspire and empower others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of courageous, faith-filled leadership that can truly change the world.