Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart. So he prospered. ~2 Chronicles 31:20-21
The Bible describes King Hezekiah as a leader who “did what was good and right and true before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began . . . he did it with all his heart.” Hezekiah paid the price to get the job done. But what is the price of commitment?
- Change of lifestyle – Hezekiah couldn’t live the way his father lived.
- Loneliness – Hezekiah stepped out in obedience, alone at first.
- Faith in God – Hezekiah believed that God would bless his efforts.
- Criticism – Hezekiah weathered the harsh questions of an older generation.
- Hard work and money – The king gave up time, energy, and the budget to reach his goal.
- Daily discipline – Hezekiah had to instill a daily regimen to bring about reform.
- Constant pressure – The king endured the pressure of potential failure and misunderstanding.
Choosing a Leadership Model
You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ~1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 (NIV)
As leaders, you and I are responsible for finding good models to emulate. Give great thought to which leaders you follow because they determine your course as a leader. I have developed six questions to ask before choosing a model to follow:
- Does my model’s life deserve a following?
- Does my model’s life have a following?
- What is the main strength that influences others to follow my model?
- Does my model reproduce other leaders?
- Is my model’s strength reproducible in my life?
- If my model’s strength is reproducible in my life, what steps must I take to develop and demonstrate that strength?
The models we choose may or may not be accessible to us in a personal way. Studying national or historical figures can certainly benefit you, but not the way a personal mentor can.
[tags]Leadership Skills, Christian Living,Hezekiah, Judah, Jesus, Leadership, Bible, God, Teaching, Price of Commitment, John C Maxwell, God Teaching, Personal Development, Character Growth,Leadership Model, Leading, SEO[/tags]
