(a chapter from my book, Raising Kings)
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
I have been using the term strategic leadership consistently. I hesitate to use the word king because there are good kings and there are bad kings. In the Bible and in the ancient world, kingship is authority over the nation’s people and people groups, and bad kings lord it over people and abuse their leadership. Good kings love God, are obedient to God’s authority and have godly leadership, wisdom, heart and perspective. Present day kings and queens seldom have anything to do with the nation’s business or government. However, prevalent in the present day culture, are leaders of leaders, leaders of followers, and leaders of people in all walks of life. I am speaking to all leaders, from the least to the greatest. Leaders have the potential to inspire people to new levels of achievement, or they can limit the potential of a people or an organization or a nation. God is a King who constantly inspires people to new levels of growth and being, but you have to want it enough to seek Him to see any benefits. As a leader or a manager, it is impossible to control everything that another person can do. If a leader or a manager is a control freak, they limit freedom, creativity and innovation of their people. They limit the fulfillment and satisfaction of their people. God tells you what the vision is and what the constraints are, and then he sets you free to do the best job you can using the gifts that he has empowered you with – assuming competent, motivated and inspired individuals of integrity.
As a human leader I can control events and things, but it is unnecessary to control another human being. I can steer, I can motivate, and I can inspire. It is not within my responsibility to control another human being. I would want people to operate in freedom within their God-given gifts, strengths and talents, their creativity, be self-motivated, even be self-inspired if they are doing something that is in line with their true identity, true purpose and true destiny. I prefer the spirit of release into freedom rather than a spirit of control. As a human leader, I am empowered to first create opportunities for people to exercise their gifts, strengths and talents, second cast the vision, and third set the people free to do the best job they possibly can. As a human leader, all I can do is point the people to God, the provider of all things good, and acknowledge and give credit to Jesus who made everything possible. This sets me free to do my own job, instead of having to control, monitor, and worry about another person’s job. Everything is coordinated by the Holy Spirit; order and harmony are maintained. I will help, collaborate, mentor, and inspire when necessary within my abilities.
Strategic leadership is a function of being a king in the name of Jesus. Today, modern day priests, prophets and kings have ministries. They lead. They rebuild communities from ruins. They build leaders from nobodies. They feed the poor and hungry. They preach the gospel of Jesus Christ – the gospel of grace. They perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. They minister to the needs common ordinary people like you and me. They heal people, communities and nations.
May the grace and peace of Abba Father the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Word Sabre, scribe for Abba Father, LORD GOD, Lord Most High, Lord Jesus Christ.