As a leader, how do you become a better leader? I believe every good leader wants to lead better in their spheres of influence and this can be done through reading books, listening to podcasts and attending seminars. I also believe that the best way is to search the Scriptures for principles and learn from the lives of leaders; both great and terrible ones. This is a series God led me to begin on leadership and over a couple of weeks, our view of leadership will be forever changed.
The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. [Genesis 49:10]
A scepter is a rod that stands as emblem for imperial power or sovereignty; a symbol of leadership. Genesis 49:10 is the key text on which this series in based. What is the Scepter of Judah? What qualified Judah to hold the Scepter of leadership? Does Judah still retains it? These and many other questions will be answered over a couple of weeks and some biblical truths will be unraveled. But today, the focus is on the man Adam. This was the first man God created, and he was charged to dominate; a man created to be a leader. I believe his life and style of leadership is worth looking into.
Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. [Genesis 2:19]
In Genesis 2:19, God brought every animal before Adam so that man could name them. In another translation, the word “call” was used instead of “name” and it was the same word that was used when God called man a living being. For several years, I thought Adam just gave these animals names by which they are called today, but I later realized that God is greater than playing “Guess the name” games.
The ceremony that took place in the garden was not a naming ceremony, it was destiny ceremony. God brought every animal before Adam because God wanted to test the level of Adam’s accuracy to discern and prophesy the identities of every creature. This is why Adam called Eve a woman even though he was far asleep when God created her; he operated in an accurate dimension of the Spirit. Scientists give names to different spies, so we cannot conclude that Adam was being tested as a scientist.
A leader must have a different vista from those he leads and have the ability to change their perspectives so they can enter into the fullness of their destinies.
When God brought the fastest animal on earth before Adam, he looked at the nature of the animal, its DNA, purpose and he gave it an identity. Never for once was Adam tempted to crown that animal the King of the jungle. The biggest animal was also brought before him, but he was neither tempted because at that moment, man had not fallen. Man was able to tap into and operate swiftly in a dimension of the Spirit where he understood and knew the heart of God, and he could recognize God’s handiwork.Then this creature was brought before him on that day, he looked at its DNA, nature, and even though it was neither the fastest nor strongest creature, he called it a Lion and crowned it the King of the jungle. What qualified Lion to be the King of the jungle or the Eagle to be King of the Air? It is definitely not its speed, because several animals are faster than Lions, and its not the smartest. Lion has gift of presence, it’s character, nature and purpose were uniquely designed by God to stand out. So, when Adam saw this creature, he knew that “This is the King of the jungle”.Perhaps, you might have forgotten that God asked Jeremiah what he saw at the beginning of his ministry in order to test his level of accuracy. This same test is written all over scriptures where God asks a Prophet what he sees, then He asks him to prophesy.
“One of the many tests a seer, prophet, or a great leader undergoes is the TEST OF INSIGHT. God will test your ability to accurately discern before He commits the destinies of people into your hands.”
This might also remind you of the story of a little boy from the tribe of Judah called David. When God wanted to appoint a King, He led Samuel to go to Jesse’s house of all houses in Israel. All of David’s brothers were brought before Samuel, all muscled up, skilled in arts of war and those guys pumped irons. Even Samuel was tempted and by all human standards, he thought he had found the King until God had to caution him. The truth is, even the greatest Prophets can miss it at times.David was not crowned King because of his strength or wisdom, he was because God formed and predestined him to be and God saw what no man, not even the Prophet was able to see in David. He was a man after God’s heart and he had the heart and nature of a great leader. He risked his life for his father’s flocks, who does that but a true leader.Words are powerful because they are Spirits and Spirits do not die. Immediately Adam prophesied into the life of the Lion; the Lion’s perspective changed. As big as an elephant is, a Lion sees it as prey while an elephant sees a Lion as predator; there is power in perception.
Your ability to lead excellently depends on your perception and ability to recognize God’s handiwork in every atom.
Likewise, when David saw Goliath, he saw him as a prey, ready to be devoured even though Israel was terrified of this man.We live in a time where everything is fighting for our attentions: news, gossips, entertainments, advertisements, sales and many others. But we need to take breaks from these things in order to pay attention to God and the things of the Spirit because God’s signature is everywhere. Jesus accused some folks of not clothing Him when He was naked because they did not recognize God’s signature and handiwork in the lives of the poor. So, they missed God because they were expecting the supernatural. Most times, God’s signature is written all over little things but they at times go unnoticed.
What makes a Prophet great is his ability to recognize God’s handiwork than the devil. Likewise, what makes a leader great is his ability to recognize opportunities than problems, possibilities than impossibilities. God’s signature is written everywhere, we just get carried away by the enemy’s handiwork.
This is a higher dimension of the Spirit where God begins to reveal the destinies of people and nations to you. A realm where you begin to prophesy and activate the sleeping Warriors in men. A realm where you begin to see the impossible, hear the inaudible and see through motives.
A great leader is one who can recognizes God’s handiwork in the life of a man and launches such man to become who God formed him to be in life.
Your life will never change until your perception changes. Your life’s transformation depends on you changing. God does not call you by your flaws or weaknesses, he calls you by purpose. He neither calls the strongest nor wisest, He call the weak, misfit and forgotten to that His power can be made strong in our weaknesses. Let this same mind that be in Christ be in you, you are who God says you are even if odds are against you. Let your view about life and things be from God’s own lens.