Reluctant Leaders

Joshua...Gideon...Moses...Paul...Jeremiah.  What do all these great Biblical leaders have in common?  They were all reluctant leaders.   

As you look in God's Word, you see that most people who were used by God in a great way did not seek it and in some cases even ran from it for awhile. 

Career vs. Calling

"For God's gifts and calling are irrevocable." Romans 11:29 

It bothers me when I hear people talk about pursuing a ministry "career."  I do not believe it is a career...I believe it is a calling.  If you are called, you won't be happy doing anything else.  Reluctant leaders do not see ministry as a career to pursue.  They see ministry as a calling to fulfill. 

Ability vs. Anointing

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful when God called you.  Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important.  As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.  I Corinthians 1:26-29

Leaders who are called by God normally are not the most talented...not the smartest...not the most eloquent...not the most charismatic.  People in the Bible who were called made plenty of excuses about their lack of ability.  Moses wasn't a good speaker.  Gideon was the runt of his family.  Paul had a terrible background. 

But what they lacked in ability, God made up for with His anointing.  Reluctant leaders do not depend on their own abilities.  They rely upon God's power.  And when they minister, God moves in the hearts of people.

Promoting vs. Promotion

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another.   Psalm 75:6-7

Reluctant leaders are not self-promoting.  They are simply faithful and because of this God promotes them.  

David is a great example of this.  It says in Psalm 78 that "God took him from the sheep pens."  David was out in the fields watching the sheep...no accolades...no crowd...no publicist.  Serving faithfully in a not-so-glamorous job.  God saw his faithfulness and gave him a promotion as the eventual leader of the nation.

Is there a call on your life?  Is it something you can't get away from?   
Are you looking at your abilities and feel you don't have what it takes? 
Are you serving faithfully where you are now?  

Good.  You're a reluctant leader...and you're just who God is looking for.  Answer His call.  He has big plans for you.