Do You Lead By His Will or Your Own?

There is no choosing to lead through the Spirit of God without choosing to be changed by the Spirit. The way we speak, the way we act, even the way we feel, these things must shift as we change from leading in our own strengths to leading out of the strength of God. Our naturally selfish ambitions, even when cast through the lens of good intention, have to begin to fall away as they have been crucified with Christ. Great leaders approach leadership with humility, having accepted that the fruit of the Spirit is beyond what they could accomplish alone, and it’s through Christ that we are empowered to access this fruit.

As a leader you are endowed with the possibility of leading from this place, but it’s not just an on-the-job responsibility. What is not cultivated in secret cannot be called upon in public. We have to pray for the transformative power of the Spirit to work His way in our hearts and minds, changing us forever, so our leadership is not a facade, but a reflection of His power at work within us. Today is a new day. Trust the will and work of God in your life, and ask Him where you need Him to work. He’s faithful to respond, and He works in your life, watch Him begin to work in the lives of others through you.

Prayer for Today: Holy Spirit, You began working within me as I first put my faith in Christ, but I confess that there have been places where I have resisted Your work. There are corners of my heart where I have been prideful and selfish. I surrender these to You. I trust You, that Your will for my life is greater than my own. Restore me, heal me, create anew what has died. I desperately wish to see the fruit of the Spirit in my life and leadership. Do what needs to be done in order that You may produce healthy abundance in me.  I receive all that I’ve asked by faith in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Scripture: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. ~

*Catalyst: Devotions For Leaders Who Love The Church*