Real Leaders Earn Their Authority

Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!” Exodus 17:4 God’s people received and important lesson on authority when the learned to trust God for provision. Time and again the Lord provided what they needed, thus demonstrating His right to lead them. Moses learned to depend on God as his ultimate authority. One of the keys to Moses’ greatness is this statement: Moses cried out to the Lord (whenever he needed wisdom, guidance, help). Leaders may be given authority by higher powers, but in the eyes of those they would lead, they must earn their true leadership-based authority. Few individuals will just give it to someone. This is the difference between positional authority (assigned to an individual based on their position) vs. relational authority (earned by an individual in the eyes of those he leads). Even God earned the trust of His people and “earned” His authority through several means: 1. Vision – He showed the way for His people to cross the Red Sea safely. 2. Protection – He eliminated the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. 3. Provision – He provided manna and quail (the daily food supply) for the people to eat. 4. Problem solving – He produced water from a rock. Similarly, we - as leaders in our homes and workplaces - must demonstrate vision, protection, provision, and problem solving to those we desire to influence. Are one of these missing in your personal leadership style? I’d love to talk to you personally. For more on help I can provide and how you can reach me, check out… http://truthatlife.com/ or email me directly at curtis.songer@gmail.com