Dear Leader, you’re doing a great Job!! But don’t take the Crown.
Sometime ago, I heard a man say some words that moved me and changed my mind about leadership,
“I am a mere screwdriver or spanner in the hand of God so if I don’t return the glory to Him, He will look for another equipment to use”.
This is the real truth- God is the landlord and we are only caretakers of the assignment He has given to us. It is important that we don’t mistakenly take the glory or allow people to give us the glory that is supposed to be for God that worked through us.
The above statement has kept me and is still keeping me humble throughout my leadership journey.
This topic brings to mind clearly a common bible story of King Nebuchadnezzar who became an animal for 7 years with his throne vacant till he became a human again. God’s plan was to show him that he is only a privileged leader. It was later that he testified below.
Daniel 4:37
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Instead, my counsel to you is to be like King David that continuously boasted in the God that caused him to make exploits.
1 Sam 17:36-37
Self glorification in leadership leads to subtle destruction, and sometimes it’s does not happen consciously therefore it’s important we check the intents of our hearts as leaders from time to time. I like to call it “Self Appraisal”
On a personal note, I remember having to do a self appraisal during my leadership journey some years back and it was clear that I was guilty of taking the Glory that belonged to God. Friends, by the help of the Holy Spirit I discovered it, I repented and immediately stepped down from that group which I felt was the best approach to train myself. Now, I can boldly say I am better for it.
With you, you might not have to step down from that place of position or maybe you might (Be Led) but while appraising yourself, tell yourself the real truth every step of the way, repent & deliberately take practical steps to giving God the glory.
Malachi 2:1-3
And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it.
1 Peter 5:5
…. for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
I got a revelation on what resist means. It simply means God will never allow whatever you do receive credibility or praise. Taking God’s glory means you want to dethrone Him and you can be sure that as a King, He will protect His crown.
My friend, I urge you to always regard the source of the great ideas or witty inventions you are doing so that you don’t become irrelevant and wiped out of existence. God is the source and He must remain the source so that the proof of wonders will keep flowing through you.