Today's Devotional Thought
February 20, 2012 by Wendy Foreman
Leadership
I have been pondering lately the concept of leadership. And one thing I have been pondering is that there seems to be this thought that if you lead well in one particular area, then surely you will lead well in other areas. Yes, you could be a great leader and lead in multiple areas but I am learning that that is not the case for everyone. And for others to assume, well that puts a lot of pressure on those who are leading in certain areas that they honestly feel called to.
I heard Beth Moore make a comment about how her main calling is writing Bible studies and that is the area that she feels called to lead in. Now, she has said that there are many areas that she could get involved in. After all she is knowledgeable in the Word and could be so valuable in multiple areas and would be a fantastic mentor to women who are new in the faith. And what a great area of ministry mentoring is, so who could really argue if she wanted to start mentoring? However, the issue is that she is called to write Bible Studies and lead them. She has not been called by God to mentor and quite simply, if she were to get involved and lead in a lot of areas like that (which are great areas), then she would be taking away from the area that the Lord has called her to and has equipped her for. I believe that sometimes we get over involved in what are great areas but we end up neglecting the very thing that God TOLD us to focus on. And when that happens, others are affected by it because we aren't giving our everything in the area God told us to.
One thing I have noticed is that when we are used to leading or being involved, we sometimes find it very difficult to say NO when other opportunities arise. So when we see or hear of a need in the church or community we oftentimes lean towards filling that need. Oh how this creates stress because we have now placed something else on our already full plate. Something that God has not told us to do.
We need to avoid this, ladies. And, we need to realize that just because there is a need it doesn't mean that it is our responsibility to fill it. I think we do a disservice to those who God is calling to step out or up to do it. This is when we have to pray before we give an answer to anyone concerning filling a need in our church or community. Make sure it is God leading you and not yourself.
What area has God called you to lead in? We all have an area. That area could be leading in your home. Perhaps it is leading in some way in your community, your child's school, leading a children's Sunday school or bible study. If you know what that area is then I suggest you focus on that area and give it 100%. Maybe God has other areas for you. I don't know. But through prayer, you will know.
But do not allow others to pressure you into areas that you do not feel called to lead in or be a part of. Be involved in or lead in the areas that you are most passionate about it. The ones that God has called you to.
December