A Leader Recognises The Grace Of God On His Life

The Art of Leadership
When you recognize the grace of God, you will make the most of it and develop under it. Paul wrote to Timothy and asked him to recognize the grace of God on his ministry and to be strong in it.

Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus

2 Timothy 2:1
Paul had recognized the grace of God on Timothy and had asked him to be strong in that grace. Furthermore, he recognized the grace of God on his own ministry and this made him work even harder. Paul said he laboured even more abundantly because of this grace. When you recognise the grace of God you must jump into action and work harder than ever. Do not waste the amazing gift you have!

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10
There are ways to recognize a special grace on your life. There may be tasks that come easily to you, whilst it takes a lot of effort from others to do the same thing.

This is one indicator of grace. If you have the ear for music and the voice to sing effortlessly, you have the grace for music. Do not take it for granted!

A Leader Recognizes the Grace of God that Gives Him Particular Abilities

God may give you a special ability to do certain things. You may be able to sing, you may be able to paint or you may be able to play instruments. These are all special abilities God may have given you. If you recognize that the grace of God has given you special abilities, you will nurture them and prosper through them. Notice this interesting story of someone who used his artistic ability to escape and prosper.

The Freedom of Fra Filippo
One day, for amusement, the Italian Renaissance painter Fra Filippo Lippi and some friends went sailing in a small boat off Ancona. There they were captured by two Moorish galleys, which hauled them off in chains to Barbary where they were sold as slaves. For eighteen long months Filippo toiled with no hope of returning to Italy.

On several occasions Filippo saw the man who had brought him pass by, and one day he decided to sketch this man's portrait, using burnt coal – charcoal – from the fire.

Still in his chains he found a white wall where he drew a full-length likeness of his owner in Moorish clothing. The owner soon heard about this, for no one had seen such skill in drawing before in those parts. It seemed like a miracle, a gift from God.

The drawing so pleased the owner that he instantly gave Filippo his freedom and employed him in his court. All the big men on the Barbary coast came to see the magnificent colour portraits that Fra Filippo then proceeded to do. Finally, in gratitude for the honour brought upon him, Filippo's owner returned the artist safely to Italy.

Note that God may bless you with a particular skill. You must learn to use these skills in your role as a leader. Your ability to lead may not all come through your education. Your ability to lead may be enhanced by a skill God has blessed you with.

The children of Judah were endowed with skills that set them apart.

Like Fa Filippo, most of us possess some gift, some talent, an ability to do something better than other people. Use your talent as a stepping-stone. Your God-given “special ability” may buy your freedom and give you the prosperity and blessing that you need.

There are people whose main gift is in their carefulness, their tact, their diplomacy, their prudence and their maturity. God has given you a special ability which can be of great help to you. Use it! The Bible tells us that the young Jewish men mentioned in the verse below, had certain abilities.

Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and SUCH AS HAD ABILITY in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

Daniel 1:4
You may not have thought of being able to stand in the king's palace or work in the Chief Executive Officer's office as a special ability. It is a special ability that is important in diplomacy and other such worlds. If you have that ability, take it seriously and use it.

[email protected]
By Dag Heward-Mills