All Israel came together to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’" When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel. 1 Chronicles 11:1-3

Picture yourself in the middle of a crisis. You're in the middle of a natural disaster surrounded by strangers, and the situation demands immediate action to save the lives of those around you. Let me tell you what would not happen: those in the situation would not walk around asking for crisis-management credentials. A first-responder who takes no action because he's frozen in shock will not merely assume leadership because of title or position. The "title" of a man is of little consequence. It is how the man has developed himself through years of uneventful practice that defines his ability to be trusted under fire. 

David led into position. From one assignment to the next, David demonstrated reliability and faithfulness to authority. This pattern of development started with tending sheep and continued through his military career. Men trusted him because he was practiced and real, not because he had a position. We learn from David that his focus was on continual obedience, submission, and faithfulness. From that focus came his position, not the other way around. Be determined to develop yourself as a man in the day to day activity of your life. Let every choice be a proving ground for a future position.

DO THIS TODAY: Be faithful to what is right in front of you.