Were You Asked to Lead?

Here is an interesting addition to yesterday's article - Have you ever been the person who keeps telling everyone that you want to lead, that God's called you to lead, that you are ready to lead but you have never been asked to lead?

It is true that if we are going to lead that we need to  be sure and certain that we can "get it done" and that we should be sure and certain that it will not happen without the help of God and great people ahead, around and behind us.  However, before we run off to lead, maybe we should wait to be asked.

There is a great Bible principle that teaches, "The good that we do can never be hidden for long."  Another Bible truth is, "...it is good to desire to lead."  Great leaders and groups of people need great leaders.  They are constantly on the lookout for them.  Do you think that their radar will miss your good works and desire?  Certainly not.  Here comes the principle of being a great follower before you will ever be a great leader.  Here comes the number one destroyer of all emerging leaders - pride that prevents them from following well.

Being asked to lead opens the door to actually being able to lead.  The people who called you actually see that you are the "one" and that confidence, expectation and passion on their part enables you to begin the task as a leader.  If you instead have to ask to lead, you have to prove yourself and you have to wonder - "Am I really ready?  Why didn't they ask me?"

Wise leaders and groups needing leadership don't ask people they don't know - so be very careful of the quick courting or the fast invitation.  It is foolish to ask someone to lead you whom you do not know - regardless of their status.  It is foolish to try to lead people who do not know you before they ask you.

Nonetheless, were we asked to lead?  Did a wise leader or group of people ask us to take the helm?  It might be very wise (regardless of our capability or our desire) to wait for the invitation.  Those who are looking will see both the good works and the desire and, when they are convinced (hopefully by God), they will ask and then we will be leading people who are ready to follow and ready to work with us as a co-leader.