Issue #131, June 11, 2014
From looking after sheep to leading a nation, David has one of the most comprehensive biographies recorded in scripture. David is known as a man after God’s own heart (see Acts 13:22) and there are many lessons servant leaders can learn from the story of his life and leadership. In this issue, we’ll look at his early life experience as a shepherd and learn how God used this to develop in him the heart of a shepherd.
We first learn of David when God sent Samuel to appoint another king for Israel to replace Saul who had not fully obeyed God. God sent Samuel to David’s home to appoint a new king and he looked at all of David’s brothers. At this point, David is not even at home; he’s out with the sheep. His father reported, “He is tending the sheep” (1 Samuel 16:11). Although he did not recognize it at the time, behind the scenes God had been shaping in David the heart of a shepherd. The image of a shepherd is often used in Scripture to describe the role of a servant leader and David learned several things as a shepherd which made him a great servant leader.
A shepherd serves with humility.
The work of a shepherd is a lowly job, about as low as you can go. Watching sheep in a desert is not an exciting job! It’s not what aspiring leaders sign up to do as an internship or seek to add to their resume or CV. But as David watched sheep he developed a heart of humility. In the desert there was no one to impress and there was no applause at the end of the day. Even later, when God raised him to a high position, he reflected several times on the reality that he did not earn this position because of his background. He carried with him into leadership a deep sense of awe that God would choose him to lead others. The world is crying for leaders who lead with strength but a humble heart. Like David, those who serve with humility powerfully influence the lives of others.
A shepherd sacrifices for the sheep.
As David led the sheep in the wilderness, he learned that leadership is not about privilege but about sacrifice. He sacrificed his time and his own comfort for the sake of the sheep. Several times, he risked his own life to rescue the sheep from a bear and a lion. Servant leaders recognize that God calls them to focus on the needs of those they serve rather than their own interests.
A shepherd surveys the flock.
A significant role of the shepherd was simply watching over the flock. David watched over the flock to protect them from danger, to identify sheep needing special care or attention. As he stood watch, he learned that servant leaders continually look after the needs of those they are called to lead. They continually reflect on the health of those they lead and act on what they see.
A shepherd stands alone.
As David worked alone, he learned to stand alone. He developed the ability to think for himself and to make decisions that were not based on the opinion of others. In the desert, there was no one around to consult, and no one to impress. As he stood alone with the sheep, he developed courage which he would use later to slay giants and lead a large army. Servant leaders do not work alone, but learn to stand alone, doing what is right instead of what is convenient.
The years of tending sheep in the desert were not wasted in David’s life. God was building a leader who would be able to shepherd His people. Every servant leader needs to learn the same lessons. Are you ready to shepherd?
For further reflection and discussion:
- What experiences has God allowed in my life to teach me humility? Have I sufficiently learned the lessons so that my leadership is shaped by humility? In what ways have I demonstrated humility in the past week?
- Is my leadership primarily about myself or those I serve? In what way have I sacrificed myself recently for those I lead?
- Take a few moments to reflect on the condition of those you serve. What are their greatest needs? Fears? Challenges? Dreams? In what way is God calling you to respond to what you see?
- Reflect on a recent situation which called for leadership courage. What was the situation and how did you respond? What was the result and what is God inviting you to do in a similar situation in the future?