King David was trained as a shepherd boy to become a shepherd of the nation. He was astute in his leadership. King David was a shepherd at heart. He was becoming a shepherd by leaning on God. . .trusting in God, depending on God, and by doing the hard work of shepherding/leading a nation. His strength was in his military might and his spiritual beliefs. God called David, a man after His own heart.

Learning to lean is paramount to learning to lead. Leaning on Jesus for wisdom and truth guides us on our spiritual journey. Leaders who know they are dependent on God and have learned to depend on Him, realize their effectiveness comes from God. This is true even though they’ve nurtured their abilities and honed their skills as a leader.

Spiritual leaders tend to fail toward the end of their ministries because they get their eyes off Jesus and on their own wants, needs, and desires. They become enamored with themselves and have learned how to charm and manipulate. Oh, if they had just leaned on their Beloved Christ.

This knowledge about ‘leaning’ has the power to keep a leader from being puffed up, proud and arrogant. It should keep them humbled, leading with humility of spirit, and keeping the Spirit of God effectively leading their lives. True leaning says “I need you, God. You are everything to me. I wouldn’t get far without You.”

Yes, we make mistakes, we mess up, we get off-track. Anyone can derail at a moment’s notice. We need God. We desperately need Him. God has to carry us at times. Sometimes we just can’t do life. We may be depressed for days on end. The depression won’t leave, and hope has left us. We’re diminished.

But God is still there, alive and waiting. Maybe He’s saying to us, “Here, let me carry your burden. I can handle it. Trust Me.” Then He says, “Come to Me. Lean on Me. Trust Me with it.” Slowly your hope resurrects. His blessed breath fills your lungs. You are gloriously alive.

Leaning is important for a leader.

It’s critical for a Christian leader to keep their sights trained on God. When a church grows, it’s easy to think your leadership is the reason for the group’s success. You can see why that happens, especially in our current culture.

Leaning on Jesus, leaning into Jesus, leaning as a way of life keeps us secure and humble. One time before a trip to the East coast, I was extremely anxious. I was worried about a couple of health issues that could make the trip miserable for me. I was worried about the plane changes and my connecting flight.

Prior to the trip, at night when the worries were most intense, I would imagine myself leaning into Christ, actually leaning on His chest, and leaning on His everlasting arms. I was trusting Him for the journey before I took the journey. This practice of ‘leaning’ calmed my fears. That’s why I picked ‘leaning’ as one of the spiritual practices that help us.

I still get anxious before taking a trip. I’ve not conquered my fears in this regard. But I’ve got a great companion Who goes with me in the air and everywhere. Jesus is my silent companion. I lean and He is my stability.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the everlasting arms.”

Elisha J. Hoffman

All we have comes from the Lord.

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A Positive Heartwarming Story by B. Murdoch

“I am going to share something I experienced a few weeks ago when I went for my nighttime drive in the Mojave Desert. I was parked up on a hill overlooking highway 58. It was very dark, and I was seeking some one-on-one time with God. I was there for quite some time, when I looked to my left and I could see a silhouette coming towards me. I looked at this figure coming towards me, I put my pistol into my hand, not knowing what was about to unfold. When this person was a few feet away he smiled, I was still a bit unnerved. His clothes were very ragged, dirty, he looked very unkempt, (but no odor as you would expect), he had the whitest and brightest teeth, perfectly straight, But it was his eyes that got me. Bright blue, and his pupils were “Star” shaped. He spoke very softly, clearly, and very eloquently. None of that matched his appearance. He asked if I had a dollar I could spare, usually I turn them away, but this time, without thinking I gave him my only $20.00 bill I had. (I only had the $20). He put his hand on my arm, thanked me and disappeared back into the darkness the way he had come. A few minutes later I got this uncontrolled shiver, from head to toe, and a calmness came over me. I experienced some other things that night after he had left, but I am going to keep that to myself for now. I just thought I would share this part with you. GN GBU ALL”

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This is B. Murdoch’s true story in his own words, per my request. What he doesn’t share, is this. This occurred during a very difficult time in his life. He was a baby Christian (age 57ish) at the time of this writing.

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