Leadership Circles

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Then the people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods! — Joshua 24:14-16

Every man has a circle of influence. Draw a circle around you; inside that circle is your first area of leadership responsibility. This is where you will have the most significant impact — leading yourself. Over time as your circle grows, so will your leadership impact. This includes areas such as family, workplace, church, community, and so on. But make no mistake about it, it begins small and grows slowly. Joshua understood this principle. He was the leader that God appointed to lead Israel after the death of Moses. He did so with great success, both militarily and spiritually. This man was courageous and obedient, and even though he reached the pinnacle of his leadership impact, Joshua concerned himself with the smallest circle first. He understood what most fail to understand that leadership begins with self-leadership — or even better yet — faithful followership — of the One who leads.

DO THIS: Follow God and let him lead so that you can lead others.

PRAY THIS: God, I don't always let you lead. I sometimes think I have the best leadership ideas, the best leadership strategies, and the best resolutions for the people I lead. Today I am choosing to follow, but use my followership to lead your people. May I reveal your glory to them.