Let God Lead You

Meredith Andrew's, "Not for a Moment," reminds us that the Lord is always with us. "Not for a moment did You forsake me. After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good. After all, You are sovereign. Not for a moment will You forsake me...And every step, every breath, You are there; every tear, every cry, every prayer; in my hurt, at my worst; when my world falls down. Not for a moment will You forsake me. Even in the dark, even when it's hard, You will never leave me. After all."

The central verses for tonight are Genesis 32:24-25: "So Jacob was left alone and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man." (NIV) Maxwell notes, "God had to break Jacob to make him useful. In the breaking process, Jacob--the deceiving 'heel-catcher'--became Israel, a 'prince of God' who purposed to serve God rather than himself."

As leaders, we must remember that our giftedness as such has come from God. Therefore, we need to use our gifts to serve Him and lead in an ethical manner. We should seek the good of the group as a whole rather than having and following selfish hidden agendas. Maxwell says, "Consider your natural ability to lead a gift from God, but your character a gift to present back to God." Furthermore, "A leader who goes his own way and seeks to benefit only himself cannot be an effective instrument in God's hands," he notes. God gifted you with your leadership. In turn, you should use it to serve and glorify Him.

There will be times when bad things happen. We will be challenged. In those times, and in all others, we must remember to look to God, the Ultimate Leader, and rely on Him for help and guidance. John 16:33 says, "'I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.'" (NIV)

Maxwell asks, "What adversity are you dealing with right now? How are you allowing it to build your character?" When you face trials, do you rely on the Lord to guide you and get you through them? What do you do in such times? Those valleys are opportunities to build your character. "Remember, every time you stand up under the weight of adversity, you are being prepared, as Jacob was, to better serve God and lead people," according to Maxwell. Keep that in mind whenever you face issues. Put your problems in God's hands and let Him take care of you so that you can effectively lead others. Remember, He has said, "'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (Hebrews 13:5b, NIV)

God bless you!