Leaders are people of action, and are usually on the move. But great leaders also know when it’s time to move on! Paul visited believers in the city of Tyre on his way to Jerusalem. After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home (Acts 21:3-6). Paul enjoyed the week with the disciples, “But when our time was up, we left…” In this short phrase Paul helps all servant leaders realize that they need to know when it is time to move on.

It’s time to move on when staying keeps us from better things.

Paul was certainly doing good things with the disciples. He taught, encouraged, and strengthened them. But he also realized that if he stayed he would never make it to Jerusalem and that was his mission. It is easy to be content doing good and miss the best. Servant leaders acknowledge that when the good keeps them from the best, it’s time to move on.

It’s time to move on when results decline.

During his stay Paul heard the voices that urged him not to go to Jerusalem. We don’t know if Paul was beginning to waver in his resolve to go to Jerusalem. But he seemed to know that staying would not bring the results he hoped for and it was time to move on. Leaders focus on results and often begin programs, products, committees, or procedures that at first produce good results. But with time the results may change and the intended purpose is no longer met. Servant leaders recognize that when results no longer justify the activity, they must move on to other things. The committee or product may need to be stopped. This doesn’t imply that we should easily give up when results are not what we expected. God may ask us to plant seeds that take years to bear fruit. If this is your situation, keep working in obedience and persevere. But if we are simply doing things because we did them in the past, it’s time to reevaluate. Servant leaders are willing to take a hard look at results to see if it is time to move on.

It’s time to move on when staying hinders the growth of others.

Paul’s visit was to encourage and build up the leaders in Tyre. This is one of the most significant tasks of all servant leaders. But as these leaders grow and develop there will come a time that the best thing we can do for them is to move on. Servant leaders are willing to get out of the way and let the emerging leaders run with the vision! For some leaders this may produce fear or anxiety and certainly there is high risk involved. But it is better to sense the right time to move on than it is to wait for death to move us on! This does not mean that all our goals are met or there is nothing more to do, but it means that it is time to hand over to others and move on. Paul wisely knew that his time was up and he moved on, trusting that the work of God would continue in the lives of those he left in Tyre.

Moving on is not always easy. It often means leaving the security of what we know or a place of comfort. There is risk involved when we move on from what is known to that which is unknown. But servant leaders say with Paul, “When our time was up, we left.” They focus on priorities, evaluate results, and release power to others. They risk moving on for the sake of the kingdom.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Are there things that I am doing which are good, but which keep me from doing better things? What needs to change for me to move on?
• What results are most critical for me as a leader? Am I getting the results I expect from the programs, products, and activities in which I am engaged? Are there activities that have stopped producing results which I need to stop? What keeps me from moving on?
• Are there people under my leadership that would grow more quickly if I would move on? What in my heart keeps me from moving on? Am I actively equipping others to carry on after I move on? How can I be more strategic in this activity?
• Are there compelling reasons for me to stay where I am right now in my life and leadership? If so, what signs would indicate that it is time for me to leave? If not, what keeps me from moving on?

All that we have already observed about David’s leadership happened before he had any position! His early life illustrates that leadership is not defined by position. But now, at 30 years of age, David begins to rule as king, first over a portion of the nation and finally over a united kingdom (Read the entire story in 2 Samuel 2-5). As he begins to lead as the king, his life illustrates to all servant leaders how a leadership position can be used for God’s glory.

Honor the former leader.

When David was told that it was the men from Jabesh Gilead who had buried Saul, he sent messengers to them to say to them, “The Lord bless you for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this (2 Samuel 2:4-6). David had already learned how submit to Saul, and he continued to honor him even after his death. He never recounted Saul’s weaknesses. Servant leaders recognize that those who have led before are worthy of honor, no matter how poorly they led.

Allow time to build relationships.

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker (2 Samuel 3:1). It took 7 years before the entire kingdom was ready to follow David. It was a terrible time with lots of politics and fighting. David slowly and carefully won the hearts of people. During this time they watched his character and his heart. He demonstrates that servant leaders build relationships by touching people’s hearts before they ask for their hands. This is not a quick process.

Lead people to victory.

One of David’s first actions as a king was to establish Jerusalem as the capital. The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David (2 Samuel 5:6-7). David wisely knew that the energy the nation spent fighting and bickering needed to be channeled in more productive ways so he led them to conquer new territory. Servant leaders lead others to victory. They are not trying to make a name for themselves, but they serve others by helping define and achieve God’s priorities for their organization.

Keep a humble heart.

With time David enjoyed more and more favor in his new position and increased in power. But he was able to keep his focus on God and keep a humble heart. And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him (2 Samuel 5:10). All leaders face the temptation to become proud when they have power. David increased in power but recognized that his success was not because of his own strength but because of God’s presence in his life.

David learned many difficult lessons early on his leadership journey which allowed him to lead well without a position. These lessons helped him continue as a servant leader when he moved from the desert to the throne. Wherever we are in our own leadership journey, we can learn from his example to use any position we have for the glory of God.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Reflect on your response to the leader who preceded you in your current position. What was your response to that person when you took the leadership and how did it impact your influence? Are there things you need to do even now to honor that person?
• What happens to a leader in a new position if they don’t take time to build relationships with those they lead? Reflect on your own position and evaluate the health of the relationships you have with those you lead.
• Why is it important to have a victory if you lead in a new position? What is the impact on the leader and the followers? What happens when there is no victory? What happens if victory is focused on the new leader and not the goals of the followers?
• Why is it so difficult to lead with humility from a high position? Talk to someone you know who has succeeded in keeping a humble heart with a big title and ask them how they do it.