Leadership Redefined

Leadership is a word that you hear frequently throughout Southern Africa. From communities and families to governments and churches, leaders play a vital role. People are raised with the wisdom of elders, the guidance of chiefs, and the direction of pastors. And today, many aspire to be the kind of leaders who bring positive change to the people around them.

With this emphasis on leadership, it’s easy to approach the Bible and expect it to echo the same themes. While there are many leadership principles contained therein, we know that the Bible isn’t primarily about our leadership. Its focus is on God’s leadership—the leadership of a Shepherd who promises to put right the world He created. It’s a message that offers freedom and hope, reminding us that we don’t have to carry the weight of fixing everything ourselves. We’re invited to trust in the One who has been faithful since the beginning of time.

God’s Leadership Through Unlikely People

Africa is a continent rich in stories. Each village, each family, holds tales of struggle, resilience, and faith. The Bible, too, is filled with stories—but rather than tales of human strength, it often focuses on human weakness. From Moses, a hesitant leader, to David, a young shepherd boy, Scripture highlights people who would not have been anyone’s first choice for great leadership. Yet, in each story, it’s God’s hand that guides, strengthens, and brings victory.

Take Moses. Raised in Egypt, he fled to the wilderness and spent years shepherding sheep. By the time God called him to lead His people, Moses felt unworthy and unprepared. In our cultures, we value strength, experience, and charisma in leaders. But God chose Moses not because of his confidence, but perhaps because he was humble enough to follow. God didn’t prepare Moses with grand strategies; instead, He equipped him by showing him His own strength and wisdom. The story was never about Moses’ ability; it was about God’s faithful leadership.

Following God’s Path Instead of Ours

We often seek wisdom from leaders to help us make the right choices. But sometimes, even the best human leaders fall short. We see this in the Bible too. David, a man after God’s own heart, still made mistakes. But what made David a powerful leader wasn’t his ability—it was his dependence on God. Time and again, he sought God’s direction, and when he failed, he returned to God with a heart ready to repent, learn and grow.

David’s story reminds us that God’s leadership is steady and unchanging, even when our own fails. And when we release our need to lead in our own strength, we find freedom. We don’t have to carry the burden of solving every problem. God, the true Shepherd, guides and cares for His people, even through the hardest seasons. Our role is to lean into His wisdom and to follow where He leads.

True Leadership: Service and Surrender

Jesus, the ultimate example of leadership, came not to rule over people but to serve. He washed His disciples’ feet, shared meals with the outcasts, and spoke tenderly to the hurting. In the world’s eyes, His leadership didn’t look like success. Yet, by humbling Himself, He transformed lives and changed history forever. When Jesus taught His disciples about leadership, He reminded them that greatness in His Kingdom looks very different from the world’s version. He said, “Whoever wants to be first must be last and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). It’s a reminder that our greatest impact isn’t found in titles or authority but in serving and loving those around us.

A Call to Trust in God’s Leadership

Communities are bound together through a strong sense of belonging and respect for those who have gone before us. It’s a shared wisdom, a sense of purpose passed down through generations. And in many ways, the Bible offers us this same wisdom: God is the One who has been faithful since the beginning, the One who knows every step of our journey and whose plans are good. When we rest in His leadership, we’re free to let go of our own need to control.

God is calling us not only to serve others but to trust Him as the true Leader. The Bible’s invitation isn’t to find new ways to gain influence or power; it’s to come closer to God, to be led by Him, and to let His love be our guiding force.

In a world focused on earthly leadership and influence, may we find peace in following the way of the Good Shepherd. He has written the story, He holds the answers, and His leadership is more than enough. Our calling is to walk with Him, trusting that His path is the right one—both for us and for all those He loves. Let us then step forward in humility, ready to serve where He leads, knowing that true leadership is found in selfless service, love and obedience to His call. We are most like Him when we serve, reflecting His heart and character to those around us.