David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. (1 Chronicles 18:14, NIV)
While it is true that golf is an individual sport, and especially so in the professional ranks, team golf—at least two partners pitted against another pair—is quite common on the everyday courses of the world.
In the best ball game frequently played among regulars, team thinking becomes lively. Who should hit the drive first—the bomber or the straight arrow? And who should roll the putt—the one whose par putt is six feet away or the one whose birdie putt is 16 feet from the hole?
Who follows? Who leads? These are the questions at play whenever people attempt to make headway in a unified cause.
When we commit to a company, a church, a Bible study group, a golf club, a travel group, or any such group endeavor, we start looking for cues about who is calling the shots and whether this lead is the kind we will follow.
The Bible provides us several clear examples of leadership. Let’s explore one of those in the next few moments, recognizing in this example how good leaders lead and why we should look for these people to follow.
David, the king of Israel, was:
– Chosen by God from humble beginnings
– Maintained his shepherd’s heart
– Gave free praise to God
– Committed to strengthening his skills
– Honoring of others, especially those who worked for him
– Eager to celebrate success
– Just and generous with the people he led
Not in every context can we expect all of these characteristics to be upheld by our leaders (secular corporations don’t hold their leaders to Godward hearts, for instance), but we can search for these like traits in leaders of all groups: humility, caring, praise of those above, commitment to improvement, honor of those below, celebratory when success comes, and just and generous to all. It’s much easier to be a good follower when we are intentionally careful in choosing our leaders.
But let’s go one step further, for we are nearly all thrust into positions of leadership, no matter how hard we say we resist. If only in ad hoc roles, we’re required to step up and get something done. But how we get it done has much to say about who we are. And whether or not we’re comfortable with leader, we serve others best when we serve them excellently, as David did.
Tomorrow: When leaders fail
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Jeff Hopper
October 15, 2013
Copyright 2013 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.