Tanya Attebery
27 March 2022
Leadership 102: Self Leadership
Where to buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Three-Kings-Gene-Edwards/dp/1610451082
A
Tale of Three Kings Response Paper
“A gift is worn on the outer person; an inheritance is planted deep
inside” (Edwards, XVII) is the first quote that stood out because like a seed
planted under ground and not seen can bloom into a vibrant plant or flower. A
seed planted in the heart fills the inner person which when it blooms is seen
on the outer as the true reflection of God cannot be hidden. He bursts through
people in vibrant colors even in times of pain, sorrow, and challenging times
in life. Job 6:10 states “at least I can take comfort in this: Despite the
pain, I have not denied the word of the Holy one” (www.biblegateway.com). Samuel in David’s
youth told him he would be Saul’s successor as his heart sought after God’s own
heart and throughout the book David in his youth refused to respond normally to
Saul’s angry bitter leadership. Then in David’s old age he still refused to
react to his grandson who loudly threatened a takeover of David’s kingdom but
instead mourned the loss but still refused to move away from being the man
after God’s own heart.
God uses the outer Saul to break the inner Saul in our own hearts. Saul
hated David so much that he threw spears to kill him and then tried to hunt him
down to the point that David lived isolated in caves constantly on the run from
the cruel king. “Even then, he never spoke a word or lifted a hand against
Saul” (Edwards, 27). It is easier to allow offenses to simmer and respond with
the fire hot vengeance like the saying “eye for and eye and a tooth”
(www.collinsdictionary.com). This refers to the idea that people should be
punished according to the way in which they offended. David instead responded,
“better he kills me than I learn his ways” (Edwards, 36). Leadership doesn’t
give me autonomy to reprimand or be scornful to those who may have wronged me
over time. It is important for me to see through David’s example to not be defensive
but refuse to allow hatred to enter my own heart. David chose to not destroy
the Lord’s plan so even given much authority he stayed a trustworthy vessel. He
lived out God’s example to honor even evil leadership. As a leader I must
remember that the life of those around me belong to God and it is not my job to
be their savior but to lead them to God and allow God to do his job of
conviction of sin, repentance, and acceptance of the saving grace of Jesus. As
I reflect on my own youth, I was Saul inward and outward. Now that I am older,
I can see the pointlessness of my own heart of Saul as it did not change my
circumstances, but just made them worse and my heart longed for relief. Letting
go and letting God take that control brings a sense of freedom so that is what
I would take into my role in the ministry of leadership.
God’s plan for the redemption of the
world means that in leadership it is essential to not allow power to corrupt.
Saul was chosen by God and given authority, but he chose self-importance to
take over so that his plans removed God’s authority. He was “willing to live in
spiritual darkness” (Edwards, 40). It can be hard to understand how God gives
power to unworthy vessels, but in turn I have learned that worldly power is
limited by time. True transformation comes from individuals who are broken
inwardly who live out a life of submission not with the view of man’s authority
but that all authority comes from God. Worldly power strives to hold onto it
through legalism which are to place more laws, rules, regulations, and fear
over the people in their authority. I think at times I was given leadership
when I was still too immature to understand the gravity of my influence on
others. An angry leader has angry followers. I can remember a time when my
staff were a bunch of grumblers, but it was because I did not reflect the right
relationship with God. I understand that I should not give to others what I
feel they deserved based on my own human emotion and limitations. I need to
really rely on God’s grace and gentleness with his unending supply of
restoration. In authority, I must hunger for God and his direction. Just as
David “as grieved, yes, but he could not speak against those in seats of
responsibility” (Edwards, 59).
The last question I am reflecting on from the book is what would I do if
faced with rebellion? I have had authority taken from not that I was doing a
terrible job, but a higher authority came and took over that role in
leadership. Did I feel a bit resentful? Yes, and at first my response was not
in God’s will for me or those I complained to. I was not a good representation
of Gad at the time. Now I see my error in thinking and how God used a Saul to
test my heart, so I had a choice of becoming a Saul myself or becoming more
like David. I know that God never honors division and I have outlasted many
leaders over the years, and I no longer have those hidden motives of wanting to
be recognized as one with sole authority. I don’t need to be right in the eyes
of men, but recognize my audience is God and how he sees me means so much more
to me over any title I could have in the world. David, in his old age, could
have become like Saul trying to kill the young Absalom, but instead speaks of
mercy as he put God above his own life as the decision maker within his heart.
David would have to turn against his nature to treat Absalom like Saul treated
him. David stayed true to his relationship with God even if that meant he lost
all his Earthly power and possessions. “As surely as the sun rises, people’s
hearts will be tested. Despite the many claims—and counterclaims—the hidden
motives within the hearts of all who are involved will be revealed” (Edwards,
86). My pride has been a hinderance to me as a leader in my youth. I have learned
that being broken just means that I humbly fall on my face before God. God is
the one and only true vindicator.
A hard lesson to learn is that man cannot force God into man’s will. Men
will sacrifice everything even their souls for the satisfaction of ambition.
David given so much still did not allow his own human authority to go unchecked
before God. “I will not hinder God. No obstacle, no activity on my part lies
between me and God’s will” (Edwards, 94). David gives all authority to God. As
I enter my own journey in leadership, I would like to cling to the heart of
David. To wake up each day expressing gratitude to God for giving me any
responsibility to reflect his character of grace and love. Not that David was a
push over as he showed a great deal of strength in his reservation of
retaliation. He waited for God to provide direction and answers. Not willing to
speak for God but to sit in the moment and allow God to shine in all his
greatness. David believed God’s words and his life reflected that which I hope
to come close to as I work through my journey of becoming a ministry leader.
“No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said. I
have sworn an oath to David, and in my holiness, I cannot lie: His dynasty will
go on forever; his kingdom will endure as the sun. It will be as eternal as the
moon, my faithful witness in the sky” (Psalm 89:34-37). May my life reflect the
words of God breathed into my lifetime as David.
Bibliography
“Access Your
Bible from Anywhere.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over
150 Versions and 50 Languages.,
https://www.biblegateway.com/.
“Collins Online
Dictionary: Definitions, Thesaurus and Translations.” Collins Online
Dictionary |
Definitions, Thesaurus and Translations,
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/.
Edwards, Gene. A Tale of Three Kings: A
Study in Brokenness. Christian Books, 1980.
Life Application Study Bible: NIV. Zondervan, 2019.