Nurturing Good Leadership Traits
BRD REFLECTIONS
(Nijendra Mahendran, Chairperson, Prayer & Praise)
READ:
Acts 25 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
I had 2 main observations as I read Acts 25.
- The leadership traits of Governor Festus
- How God used Festus for His purposes.
1. The leadership traits that I observed about Festus.
- Diligent in his conduct and acted with urgency (v6b, v17)
- Relational in his approach with others (v6a, v14a)
- Reasonable in his responses or requests to others (vv3-5, v9)
- Teachable & Vulnerable to seek counsel of others (v12a, v20a, v26)
- Objective in his decisions (v18, v25)
2. Despite Festus not being a follower of the Way, God used Festus in an amazing way.
- To protect and preserve Paul’s life (vv3-5)
- To provoke people’s curiosity about Jesus through Paul to others (vv14-19)
- To give Paul an audience to present the gospel (v23)
APPLY:
- As I reflect on the observations above, I must say that Festus does have leadership traits that are very inspiring, although he is not a follower of Jesus. I must continue to learn and grow in these traits, as I lead others in my spheres of influence. I am also enlightened, to be open and surrendered to how God may use others to lead me, even if they are pre-believers.
- I am also reminded that God is sovereign and has many people in leadership positions that have been placed in authority for His purposes. For that, I need to always pray for our leaders regularly even though they may not be Christians, because God can still use them for His purposes.
DO:
- To continue to pursue growth in leadership traits to be diligent, to act with urgency when needed, to be relational in my approach with others, to be reasonable in my responses and requests, to be teachable and vulnerable to seek counsel and importantly to be objective in my decision-making process. I pray that I will be willing to always learn from others, even pre-believers, as I avail myself for God to use my gifts and talents to enhance the works of His Kingdom.
- To pray regularly for our leaders in authority that through them, God will protect and preserve His people, God will provoke curiosity about Jesus, and God will give Christians more opportunities to present the gospel to others.
PRAY:
Father, I thank you for your word today that we can learn many good leadership traits from others, even those that do not believe in you. I pray that you help me grow in my leadership by being diligent with what is needed to be done, to perform with urgency on matters that need quick responses, to always be relational with people, to be reasonable in my responses and requests to others, to be teachable and vulnerable to seek counsel when needed and to be objective in my decision-making process.
I pray too for governments around the world and especially those in leadership positions, that you will use them to protect and preserve your people. I pray too that you will use them to provoke curiosity about Jesus and give your church audiences to hear the saving message of the gospel. Amen!
