What Kind of a Leader are You?

Guest blog by Kaylynn Gibb

Some calendars still note the birthday of three American leaders, George Washington led an army to win freedom from England. Abraham Lincoln paved the way for freedom from slavery. Martin Luther King Jr. lead people to embrace freedom from violence. You may not be leading a freedom movement for our country, but as a grandparent, you are a leader for your grandchildren. That’s an excellent response. Is your birthday noted on their calendar, too? If not, it should be!

I am quite confident you have many or all of the characteristics of a Godly Leader. You are concerned and responsive to your grandchildren’s problems. You are in constant prayer over them. You can identify with the trials they are facing. You are strengthened by the promises of God in the Bible. You are or can be assertive when there is a need. And you have learned to wait on God’s timing.

Jack Wellmen describes seven leaders in the Bible by a variety of characteristics. Moses was meek. David was a man after God’s own heart. Daniel lived a life of obedience. Paul suffered well. Nehemiah was bold. Deborah was courageous. Peter failed but was forgiven and restored. But the most significant leader of all human history is Jesus. He leads His faithful followers to the truth, and the truth sets us free.

Read what the Bible says about leaders:
Psalm 75:7, Proverbs 8:15, Daniel 2:21, Romans 13:1-7

Nehemiah boldly prays for Jerusalem to return to God. (1:9 & 11)  Lord, God, If our grandchildren have left You; we pray they will return to You and obey Your commands and live by them. Please hear their prayers. May they delight in honoring You always. Daniel prays in obedience to God. (1:10) Lord, God, May our grandchildren learn to
pray to You in times of trouble, always giving thanks, many times a day.

David is anointed by Samuel as a man after God’s own heart. (1 Samuel 16:7 & 13) Lord, look at the hearts of our grandchildren. May Your Spirit be powerfully upon them.

According to God’s Word in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, we are to pray for the leaders of our country even if we don’t like or agree with them. Almighty God, May we be a leader and example for our grandchildren in praying for the leaders of our country and all in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked with godliness and dignity.

Grant Your wisdom to all leaders. (Including grandparents) Give them the humility to seek Your will; make them slow to anger and willing to understand another point of view; give them the courage to do what they believe is right; may they be sensitive to the needs of everyone, yet not subservient to their popularity. Help us to be patient with our leaders in their search for truth. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Researched and written by Kaylynn Gibb with inspiration from God’s Word, 7 Great Leaders from the Bible, and Characteristics of Godly Leaders/bible.org,