04
No Leadership, No Order
John TiltonJudges 21:25
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.
As I read through Judges and was aghast at some of the things that transpired with and amongst the Israelites, the people of Gibeah, their conflict with their Benjamite brothers and other startling occurrences, the last scripture of Judges 21 is so clear and spot on … in those days their was not king, thus, no leadership and therefore everyone did as they pleased. It is so true that when leadership is absent, or even when a leader is present but not leading, those under a leaders authority or responsibility can and often do as they see fit. There’s that old saying “when the cat’s away, the mice will play.” The Lord also provides us with the greatest leadership book to guide and teach us … the Bible.
This simple scripture speaks to me in that I am called and need to be leading with my family and those that I lead in ministry and work, less I end up wondering why they are not doing what they are called to do and therefore straying off on tangents. I cannot look at their lack of fulfilling their responsibilities as their fault but more so my fault for not leading. I’ve seen it often where absentee management and leadership results in others stepping up and forward with their own agenda and goals, since a void is created with the lack of a leader or leadership. Leading is not only leading by way of position or title, but of involvement, coaching, guidance, encouragement, correction and accountability.
Dear Lord, may you guide me to be a gracious but assertive leader, leading with attributes that will facilitate communication, competence, character and completion for myself and those that I am blessed and called to lead.
