How do you measure yourself as a leader?

It says about King Jehoash (a leader of the day), “Are not the remainder of Jehoash's deeds -his mighty actions and how he defeated Amaziah (Judah's king) – documented in the book of the chronicles of Israel's kings?”
 

King Amaziah foolishly started something with King Jehoash, the king of Israel, after he won a battle against 10,000 Edomites and took Sela for himself. Jehoash warned him, “You have crushed Edom, but your heart has become swollen with pride. Take pleasure in what you have already won, and delight in your home a while. Why would you want to stir up unnecessary troubles and have yourself and Judah taste defeat?”

This was wisdom for Amaziah that he was to proud to listen to. He went to war against Israel and was defeated and taken captive by King Jehoash. It says about him, “Is not the rest of Amaziah's story – his actions and lasting legacy-documented in the book of chronicles of Judah's kings?” They plotted against him in Jerusalem, hunted him down and killed him.

Our choices in leadership create our legacy. Amaziah did what was good in the eyes of God, but he was not devoted to God like David. Eventually it was his pride that led him down a path of foolishness and he became known throughout history as the king who was foolish.

Our choices in serving God and honoring him have huge impact on our ability to lead with wisdom or foolishness. In first and second Kings, the Kings of Israel were evaluated on how devoted they were to God.

Some of the kings did not serve him at all, served him devotedly and later backslid into serving other gods, and others served only half-heartedly. As a result, rather than peace and rejoicing filling the land, it was riddled with famine, wars, struggles and suffering.

2 Kings 14:26-27 notes, “The Eternal One observed Israel's intense, bitter suffering whether they were free men or slaves. There was no one who came to the aid of Israel. The Eternal had not said He would erase the reputation or remembrance of Israel from under heaven, so He rescued them through Jeroboam (Joash's son).

Jesus asks Peter in John 21:17, “Do you love me?” When he answers to Jesus, 'Yes, Lord, You know that I do'. Jesus tells him how to serve Him and be a good leader... Over and over, Jesus tells him, “feed my sheep.” In a children's bible translation, it says, “show you love me by taking care of my people.”

 

David and Solomon (in the first part of his reign) were both kings that genuinely cared for the people and looked out for them. They honored God with their whole lives and directed the people toward honoring and fearing Him. As a result, the land has peace and abundance.

Ever do something that God called you to but not really have your heart fully in it? Maybe you wade in but because of fears or past wounds, you don't trust giving it your all?

Maybe you were hurt before when you gave something your all and still have bleeding wounds. Or maybe somewhere underneath you as a leader have a bless me mentality that looks for what God can do for you in your role rather than how you can honor God (like King Saul). Like him, sometimes this could also be a scarcity mentality where one puts their energy into protecting their position because there is not enough to go around.

In not giving your all, or standing back and protecting yourself, you may think that you are not hurting/failing anyone but yourself. But you are – you are failing God.

Some of the kings gave us these examples of serving God halfheartedly. I am sure they did not set out to lead the people astray from God. However, they didn't put their all into their calling. They were afraid to take risks, didn't want to make waves and didn't have the courage for the change needed when it was unpopular with the people.

Jehu was totally opposite of many of the halfhearted leaders. He was a king who was zealous to serve God. He was like a crazy man in his following what he believed God wanted from him. He specifically followed each prophecy and had no problem being unpopular in getting rid of false worship.

Part of what made David and Solomon (at the beginning) good leaders is that they put their whole heart into what they were doing with the inner desire to worship God in it. Because their ultimate motive was to please God, not the people, they were willing to take risks. They were bold in their service to God and their directing the people to God – even when it was unpopular.

Another trait of a good leader is consistency. They give their all day after day and do not grow weary in doing well. Like a runner in training, they consistently push themselves to make strides forward at times while maintaining their gains. Some people can run in a short burst and do well, but they haven't learned to sustain this. Something gets in their way and they stop and sit down.

Both Jehu and Solomon started out well and were devoted to God and fulfilling their calling. The first part of their journey was incredibly devoted. However, over time, they turned from God. In leadership, one's actions not only impacts themselves but the people around them who count on them and look to them to lead. In their gift of leadership influence, both led the people astray. Both of them caused harm to others by their lack of devotion in the latter half of their lives.

Lord, I would love if my life would reflect consistent whole-hearted devotion to you in all that you give me to do. Forgive me for sometimes being half-hearted and not honoring you with my whole life. Help us to measure what we are given to do by Your terms. Let us be those who consistently love you with all our hearts and then love others around us with that same love. Heal us from the wounds that would cause us to shrink back in halfhearted devotion.

A great short post on leadership principles that reflect Jesus :http://www.ronedmondson.com/2013/06/12-leadership-principles-of-jesus.html