The Return of the Servant Leader: A Lesson in Assuming Responsibility Like King David
The story of David doing a census may sound innocent, and the consequence of this act may sound harsh. The truth is what needs to be told.
The Servant Leader Disappears (1 Chronicles 21:1-15)
After many successful battles, because of God’s favor on Israel, David decides to do an accounting activity of his army. Any business person would claim this makes sense. Any military leader would agree. Why not see how big we are?
It may have been a good decision for another time and another motive. However, David’s census was about pride. It was about seeing how large his strength was in these numbers. He was not thinking about all God had done. God was not leading him to do this for the next battle. This was all about personal pride. It was a “look at how good I am” move.
The consequence was a divine reduction of the people with a 3-day plague. At first, 70,000 people died, which was God reminding Israel of who was their true king.
David watched this unfold because he had chosen the punishment. He thought he could endure seeing his people crushed. He couldn’t.
The Servant Leader Returns (1 Chronicles 21:16-17)
He asked the Lord to stop the angel who stood between heaven and earth yielding this punishment. For those who have trouble with Bible stories, equate this to one of those comic book heroes with super human strength destroying a city. Not quite that simple but you get the image.
David realizes what I wish many leaders in our government and businesses would recognize. David knows the people are being punished for his wrong. He asked for the punishment to fall on him and his family, not on the people. In that moment, I believe David, the leader, saw the face of a child he had never met, a father he had never met, a mother he had never met. He saw what his actions would mean to them.
Years ago, we talked about servant leadership. It was a good buzz term for the time, but I don’t hear much about servant leadership today. Truly...we should be talking about servant leadership again. We need to return to this mindset.
A true leader doesn’t stand by and make sure they are comfortable while many people are uncomfortable. A servant leader doesn’t turn their back and receive rewards for a failure which cost many people dearly.
Pray for the Servant Leader Attitude
I’ve been praying for a servant leader attitude to return or to come upon the highest leadership roles in our country and in the world. I’ve been praying for our leaders to personally be held accountable for selfish attitudes and self-seeking deeds. I’ve been praying for leaders to see the faces and impact upon people they’ve never met but lead.
Will you join me?
STOP! Take a moment join us.
Sometimes being a Christian is challenging. Often we aren’t honest about our struggle.
Do you want growth, insight and courage to help through this journey?