March 24

Choosing Leaders

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 43:1-5 | Deuteronomy 2:1 – 3:29 | Luke 6:12-38 | Proverbs 11:27

Today’s Scripture Focus:  Luke 6:12-38

One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles (Luke 6:12-13 NLT).

Jesus lived a life of prayer. So it is not surprising that when he came to critical junctures in his life that he would spend extended time in prayer. It is not surprising that when a critical decision was to be made that he spent the whole night in prayer.

As Jesus looked at his disciples and chose twelve to become apostles, he was identifying the team he would spend the bulk of his time discipling. These were the ones who would help him carry out his earthly ministry; the ones that would be handed the leadership of the ministry when his work was completed.

Such a decision requires much prayer. Having the wrong team members can be disastrous.  Having a team of leaders that are able to work together is essential to accomplishing your purposes.

We may wonder why Jesus chose the twelve he did. By the world’s standards they were probably not the ones we would have chosen. We generally choose the popular, the powerful, the wealthy, and the successful. Jesus picked the humble, the average, the ones likely to be neglected.  Yet through prayer he was able to see their potential. He saw persons pliable enough to become the team he needed. He saw individuals humble enough to depend on God.

As you make decisions, look to the Lord for his wisdom. Don’t rush into it. As you choose leaders, pray that God will enable you to make the right choices. And don’t be surprised if he points you to unlikely choices. He is a God who often uses the unlikely and the unlovely to accomplish great things for his glory.

Heavenly Father, I need your wisdom daily. Give me insight to make good choices. Remind me to humble myself and pray and not to rush ahead without your direction. As you give the wisdom and direction, give me the grace to follow through and be fruitful in all that you call me to do. Amen.