When I work with leaders in difficult situations or encourage teachers to consider leadership in schools, the question of personal competence for the task often arises. King Solomon asked a similar question early in his reign over the people of Israel: “Who am I to lead this thy people?”
I recently read that one of the biggest hindrances to an athlete’s performance is doubt. Wondering whether he or she is capable of doing the task. I believe the same can be said of us as leaders. How can I possibly do this?
Wayne McKim in his FCA Resources devotional suggests that, “Fortunately, God instills confidence in us by reminding us that He, the One who made us, has given us the ability to do whatever task He calls us to do.”
We have many resources available to us to ensure that we have the training for the task; higher learning organizations provide us with the education and certification required for the task. However, with all of that, we will find ourselves wondering and doubting, asking Solomon’s question of “Who am I?” or perhaps Moses’ question of God about his ability to lead. In those moments, I leave you with these passages from Scripture:
Romans 15:14: [Paul the Minister to the Gentiles] I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
1 Corinthians 6:2: Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
2 Corinthians 3:5: Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
2 Corinthians 3:6: He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
May you find confidence and competence in Him.