Simply the Bible Blog

Leadership is a topic of interest to many. Those who are already leaders want to know how to do it better. Those who aspire to leadership want to know what qualifies them. But before we can lead others, we must first lead ourselves.

After a family disaster, God was now calling Jacob to go back to Bethel–back to the place where he first met God. Thirty years earlier, he had nothing but his staff and the clothes on his back. But now he was two companies of four wives, eleven sons and many servants, flocks and herds. Moving was complicated. It would require getting everyone on board. It would require leadership. Was Jacob up to the task?

Over the years, I have found that many men are effective leaders at work, but they feel lost when it comes to leading at home. Maybe it’s because they don’t feel respected, or maybe they don’t know how to lead their family–especially in spiritual matters. My encouragement to them is what Moses told Joshua:

“Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people… Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:7–8, NLT)

You see, before you can lead others, you must first lead yourself. You must overcome your own fears and weaknesses. You must wholeheartedly embrace the challenge before you. You can’t expect others to get in your boat unless you’re “all in” yourself. That requires vision–not born of your own imagination but of God’s revelation. You need to know that it is something God has called you to do. Then you can take courage that He will be with you and will help you do it.

Jacob would lead his family to Bethel–to the house of God. But first he had to lead himself to take charge. He had to believe that he could do it because God called him and would empower him to do it.

What about you? Is there something God is stirring your heart to do? Lead yourself to take the first step and others are sure to follow.