Election season considerations: 3 biblical keys to desire in a leader

OPINION:

Every four years, we have the privilege and responsibility in this country of electing our leaders. Sometimes we get to cast our vote for a leader we are excited to follow. Other times, we may feel as if we’re working hard to find the best option on a ballet full of bad choices.

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As the virtues and vices of our leaders dominate our attention in the election cycle, it can be easy to forget that all of us are also called to carry a mantle of leadership. From our homes to our communities and churches, we each have the opportunity to lead others. Sometimes that is in a formally recognized leadership role; sometimes it is not. Regardless of the type of role, Scripture has a treasure trove of wisdom to share with us about leadership.

The leaders of ancient Israel are certainly part of that treasure trove. Some are names we recognize. Some are barely even mentioned. Regardless, of whether we know their stories well or not, Scripture itself reminds us: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV).

We have so much we can learn about leadership if we’re willing; these stories of success, failure, obedience and grace teach us an abundance about what humble, servant-hearted, surrendered leadership looks like.

1 and 2 Kings: Biblical pattern of leadership

As the various kings of Judah and Israel are mentioned throughout the books of 1 and 2 Kings, there’s a familiar pattern. Each time, the text focuses on three things: 

1. Whether or not the king walked with the Lord
2. How the king handled the “high places” of idol worship in the land
3. Summaries of the rest of their reign with the statement: “As for the other events of [the king]’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?”   

I am convinced that this pattern gives us a glimpse into what God prioritizes in a leader. First, does that leader walk with the Lord? Before ever considering the accomplishments of the leader, does the leader have a heart that seeks after God? Second, does that leader’s heart for God result in tearing down the idolatry and “high places” that otherwise seek priority in their lives and those they are called to lead? Lastly, the Scriptures show us that all the other accomplishments are considered secondary and recorded elsewhere.

For some of the kings of Israel and Judah these “other events” included some pretty amazing things. They included military or economic victories. They included strategic alliances. Ironically, these “other events” contained many of the types of accomplishments that we tend to trumpet in our resumes or LinkedIn profiles. Yet, God seems to be showing us that these things aren’t His primary focus. In fact, those things are so secondary in importance that they are “recorded elsewhere.”

Rather, He seems to be showing us the thing of utmost importance is how a leader seeks the Lord within the context of their leadership.

Leading others in humble obedience

As leaders, we must never lose sight of our heart postures before God.

We serve a God who has unlimited power and resources. In fact, He can bend the laws of the very universe He created to accomplish His purpose. God is not dependent upon the skills we might bring to the table. Yet, He has entrusted us with those skills for a purpose, and He invites us into the work He is doing. With that in mind, our chief calling as leaders is to keep our eyes focused on God and our hearts humbled before Him. As election season is upon us, may we approach the throne of our Lord with open hands and an earnest desire for His will, that we might serve as biblical leaders for our homes, communities and churches, and pray for the opportunity to elect those types of leaders to political office.

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Ryan Brown is the President and CEO of Open Doors US, one of 25 national Open Doors International (ODI) bases located around the world. Open Doors is known for its annual World Watch List report of the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. With the aid of the international community, Open Doors has continued to serve persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries. Learn more at: opendoorsus.org.