So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. (1 Samuel 16:12-13)
Lately, the Lord has been speaking to me about leadership. We are all leaders. We lead our selves, families, co-workers, students, congregations, even our pets. We all are responsible for leading something or someone. We need to embrace the call to leadership instead of running away from it.
When the prophet Samuel was sent to anoint one of Jesse’s sons after King Saul was rejected and fired by God, each of the first seven sons willingly embraced the call to leadership. Unfortunately for them, God rejected each one and instead, preferred and choose David. Then Samuel anointed David in the presence of his brothers.
The Call and Anounting of God
The call and anointing of God are defining because they separate us from the ordinary. When David was anointed with oil, the Spirit of God began to use him in even more unique ways than before. In the past, David acquired and sharpened his natural skills of tending to and protecting sheep. He was skillful in warfare (defeating lions and bears) and in worship (singing and playing the harp). The wilderness was a classroom for David that prepared him for the anointing. He was faithful watching over his father’s sheep and therefore God could promote him and anoint him for greater service. Leaders must first be faithful before they can be promoted.
The anointing departed David even more because King Saul then hired him to work inside his palace. Here are 7 leadership areas that we should be evaluated on before we can be promoted by God.
- Competence – Do you have the job skills for the job? What does you resume reveal?
- Character – Would you pass a background check or financial report review? What would you references say about you?
- Commitment – What job/church have you be faithful too for more than 3 years? Are you short term or long term?
- Chemistry – Do you like the leader of the church/organization or do your personalities and styles clash?
- Compatibility – Do you have the same DNA and agreement of vision as the church/organization? Or will you try to change the vision, doctrine and values if you are promoted to leadership?
- Culture – Do you “fit” in the culture and the way the church/organization does things?
- Calling – Do you have passion to do what is required in the position? Is the Lord anointing you or is it just a job that is open for you right now?
If you have a “Yes” to all seven of these then do it. (Take the leadership position.) As Colossians 3:17 commands us,
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”