The Heart of a Leader: Insights from Psalm 131 on humbleness.
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty;I do not concern myself with great matter or things too wonderful for me.2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content. 3 Israel, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.
Psalm 31
Psalm 131 provides insights into the heart of a leader. It was written by David during the time when God chose him to be the king after Saul. Despite facing accusations from Saul, who wrongly accused David of seeking power out of pride, David showed patience and waited for God's appointed time to take his place on the throne (1 Sam 15-19). Contrary to what Saul claimed, the story shows that David didn't rush things but respected God's timing (1 Sam 6.6-12). This psalm beautifully showcases David’s humbleness, a man after God’s heart.
In this Psalm, we learn that adoration comes before recognition for a person after God’s heart, emphasizing the importance of humbleness. It encourages us to divert our attention from ourselves and focus it on the Lord (v.1). This helps cultivate an appreciation and comprehension of God's nature and His will. The second verse reveals an understanding of our identity as individuals and highlights the need to rely not on our own strength but rather on our trust in God and our dependence upon Him. Additionally, this verse beautifully portrays a heart that is committed to remaining in its place with unwavering reliance on God. Finally, the chapter concludes (v.3) with an invitation for others to join together in placing their hope and faith in God.
A leader who embraces humbleness is someone who deeply relies on their faith, understands their identity, and comprehends the nature of God. This understanding nurtures an open-minded approach, acknowledging personal limitations and genuinely aiming to serve others by prioritizing their needs over personal glory. They willingly acknowledge their limitations, actively seek input from others, seeing it as a valuable tool that God uses in their leadership, and appreciate the collective wisdom of the team.
A humble leader stands out through selflessness. They empower their team by recognizing and nurturing strengths that complement their weaknesses. Ultimately, a humble leader serves as a role model, demonstrating that true strength arises not from control and power but from humbleness.
Eduardo Mendes
Founder and President
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