A Life of Integrity; No Regrets
Samuel said to all Israel, I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand, testify against me in the presence of the LORD and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right. 1 Samuel 12:1-3
Godly leadership is a gracious gift from God. Perhaps, nothing affects the destiny of any group of people more than its leadership. The character and conduct of a leader will make or break a family, Church, community or even a nation.
The life of a leader is filled with all kinds of opportunities either to humble or exult oneself in pride. There are many opportunities for leaders to be corrupted and thereby pervert justice and harm innocent lives. In fact, the biblical record indicates that in his old age, Samuel’s own sons whom he had put in charge of the nation were accepting bribes and perverting justice.
Rare is the leader who can stand up at the end of his or her tenure and boldly declare, “testify against me in the presence of the LORD... if I have stolen anything or taken a bribe from anyone after these many years of being your leader!”
Rarer still is the leader who, out of humility and godliness can declare that “If I have done any of these things I am prepared to make it right.” Those statements can only be made by leaders who have led lives of integrity. Samuel’s leadership was an excellent example of personal integrity.
In various ways we each have leadership roles in our families, jobs, communities and churches. When our time is up, can we declare in good conscience that we have led with absolute integrity? And better still, can we boldly say that we are prepared to right any wrongs we have done? When you live a life of integrity; you have nothing to worry about when your time is over!
May God help us to be exemplary in our conduct as leaders.
The life of a leader is filled with all kinds of opportunities either to humble or exult oneself in pride. There are many opportunities for leaders to be corrupted and thereby pervert justice and harm innocent lives. In fact, the biblical record indicates that in his old age, Samuel’s own sons whom he had put in charge of the nation were accepting bribes and perverting justice.
Rare is the leader who can stand up at the end of his or her tenure and boldly declare, “testify against me in the presence of the LORD... if I have stolen anything or taken a bribe from anyone after these many years of being your leader!”
Rarer still is the leader who, out of humility and godliness can declare that “If I have done any of these things I am prepared to make it right.” Those statements can only be made by leaders who have led lives of integrity. Samuel’s leadership was an excellent example of personal integrity.
In various ways we each have leadership roles in our families, jobs, communities and churches. When our time is up, can we declare in good conscience that we have led with absolute integrity? And better still, can we boldly say that we are prepared to right any wrongs we have done? When you live a life of integrity; you have nothing to worry about when your time is over!
May God help us to be exemplary in our conduct as leaders.
PRAYER:
Father, as a disciple of your Son Jesus, I am called to follow Him in character and conduct. Please help me to lead a life of integrity so that I would not bring the name of my Lord into disrepute. I ask this in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen
Father, as a disciple of your Son Jesus, I am called to follow Him in character and conduct. Please help me to lead a life of integrity so that I would not bring the name of my Lord into disrepute. I ask this in Jesus’ mighty Name. Amen