2 Samuel, Week 18 - Day 4: Leadership Can’t Wait

2 Samuel, Week 18Day 4: Leadership Can’t WaitDevotionalDavid’s avoidance created a vacuum, and a vacuum never stays empty. While David refused to lead his own family through the crisis, Absalom stepped up and stole the hearts of Israel. The people wanted leadership, and when the rightful leader would not lead, they followed the man who would. This is true everywhere. In your home, your job, your church, somebody is going to lead. If you will not step up and lead in a godly way, someone else will fill that space, and you may not like who it is. Leadership is not a title and it is not perfection. It is taking responsibility, making the hard call, and carrying people through hard seasons. Maybe you have been ducking a role because you do not feel qualified or you are scared of getting it wrong. Hear this: your avoidance is not protecting anybody. It is making room for dysfunction to grow. Jesus never avoided leadership, not even when it meant the cross. He led through the worst dysfunction of all, your sin, and gave us the model of sacrificial leadership. The people around you need you to step up, not back.Bible Verse“Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” — 2 Samuel 15:6 (ESV)Reflection QuestionWhere in your life is God calling you to step up and lead instead of avoiding responsibility?Quote“Leadership abhors a vacuum. It’s always going to get filled. When a father will not lead his home, somebody’s going to lead your home.”PrayerGod, You have called me to lead in real places with real people. I will not hide behind feeling unqualified. Give me the courage to step into it and the wisdom to lead like Christ, who led me all the way to the cross.