When the Lord first called me into leadership, I echoed Moses, “Who Me? I can’t speak to your people. I’m not a leader.” (Exodus 3:11, 4:10). I questioned my calling and was confident the Lord had me all wrong. But just as He replied to Moses, His word also spoke to me, “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:11).

Others asked, “Why her?” Often when God calls us into a leadership role, not only do we question His choice, but others do as well, as in the case of Moses. Miriam and Aaron talked against Moses asking, “Is Moses the only one the Lord speaks through?” (Numbers 12:2). They were jealous of the authority God had given their brother and questioned why God had chosen him instead of them as leader.

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” Matthew 20:28

God Wants Our Yes to Step into Leadership

When the Lord calls us, He doesn’t seek our permission or the approval of others. Yet, when His call does come, we can trust that He has a plan, and He will give us all we need to accomplish His plan. When He called me, my answer was, “Here am I, send me. But if you don’t go with me, then please don’t send me alone” (Isaiah 6:8, Exodus 33:14-16).

Does this sound familiar? Has God called you into leadership in a way that feels like you are being stretched out like the Texas sky? Take heart. You are His vessel; His mouthpiece; His hands and feet. Lean into Him. Spend time with Him to receive His revelation. Bathe those who follow you in prayer. Live a life worthy of the calling to lead, for you cannot lead others to a spiritual place where you have never been.

Never plan to speak to your followers without first hearing from the Lord. He alone knows the needs of each person you are teaching and leading. He will never send you alone when it is His message you are sent to deliver. And remember, as the Lord calls you to speak, teach, and lead, allow the Holy Spirit access so that you are His vessel.

“Allow God to have complete liberty in your life when you speak.
Before God’s message can liberate other people,
His liberation must first be real in you.
Gather your material carefully, and then allow God
to ‘set your words on fire’ for His Glory.”
Oswald Chambers

God Wants our Submission

What does this look like? Listen to Him. If He leads you off script from what you have prepared to speak or teach, allow Him that freedom. Do not fear His words or His message. Do not fear that He will cause chaos, and you will lose your place and not bring the message full circle. He is a God of order, so follow His lead. Again, these are His words, His people, and His calling, so trust Him to speak His words through your lips.

Recently, I was invited to speak at a women’s conference. I prayed, spent time in scripture, sat in His presence, and prepared His words and message for the ladies. As I stood to speak with notes and outline in hand, my mind began to fill with a new order of how to deliver the message. I knew the Holy Spirit wasn’t planning to follow my script, and I also knew He had a word for those in attendance that would be life changing. I submitted my heart, mind, and voice to Him and allowed Him to reorder my thoughts, calm my spirit, and speak through me. When I stepped into leadership, I knew He would be my lead and I would follow.

God Wants our Trust

At the end of the talk, two or three of the 100 women present came to speak with me. They encouraged His words and presence within me. My flesh wanted to apologize that I didn’t deliver the message I came to deliver, but my spirit knew the Lord had done something in the hearts of women that I couldn’t do. He didn’t’ need my permission to take the lead in this conference. He just needed my voice and willingness to be used as His vessel.

The next day, as I wondered about how the message was received, I asked him to confirm that it was Him working through me and not my inability to follow an outline. Even when we serve in leadership, we battle the temptation to think our calling is about us when, in fact, it’s all about Jesus and His kingdom.

God Wants our Devotion

In His grace, He reminded me of the conference room filled with women. I sensed His heart saying, “Some came for fellowship with other women; that’s what they received. Some came for physical food; that’s what they received. Still others came because they were seeking Me and needed a word of encouragement from Me – and that’s what they received.” He continued, “I am not a surface God, nor have I called you to be surface. My daughters needed to hear My truth, to be set free, to receive encouragement. That is what you were sent to do – you are My vessel, and I speak through you.”

I am reminded of the parable of the shepherd who left the 99 sheep to find the one that was lost (Matthew 18:12-14, Luke 15:3-7). We will not know who the “one” is, we will not know what the “one” needs to hear, but He does, so we walk in obedience, submitting to Him as we lead, teach, serve, and speak. Remember, the words He sends out through our lips will not return void but will accomplish the purpose for which they are sent (Isaiah 55:11).

God wants our Obedience in Leadership

You have been called into leadership by God so that He can use you to present Him to others; you represent Him. You have a calling to represent Him, to submit, and to serve those He has called you to. Even when others don’t understand your obedience and even when the stretch hurts.

I encourage you! Just as God said of David when Samuel first saw him in 1 Samuel 16:12, “He is the one.” He says of you, “You are the one.” You are the one He has called to love the people He has put in your life. He will put an army of mighty warriors around you to hold you up as you lead them into victory. It’s your calling and He is your leader.

Mary Ethel Eckard
Author and Speaker