Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
The difference between a seasoned leader and an unseasoned leader is ‘selflessness’. An experienced leader is selfless and safeguards the interest of others but an immature leader would not be able to think beyond himself. The fruit of selflessness is developed in the furnace of suffering. Seasoned leaders are not just successful but significant. Success is all about growing yourself but significance is about developing others. Such selflessness is nurtured and developed through the furnace of suffering.
Bible Scholars believe that from the time David was anointed as a king in his home until he became the King over all of Israel, it was about 15 years. These 15 years of hiding and obscurity seasoned him to become the greatest king of Israel. The Lord God seasoned him in the wilderness, in wandering and in the wild to become a great leader. David coached and trained ‘Thirty Mighty Men’ who accomplished heroic feats and became the toughest warriors in his kingdom in the wilderness while he was on the run from King Saul. These men did not come to David as mighty warriors; they were distressed, in debt and discontent. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander (2 Samuel 22:2). In the furnace of suffering David trained the uncultured outcasts into tough heroes and mighty men of valor.
On the other hand, Saul had an easy way up the throne. He was crowned as the first King of Israel while he was shepherding the donkeys of his father. He was not seasoned hence, became a very insecure and selfish leader.
Suffering seasons us into significance:
1. Suffering: Suffering is another season in our life that prepares us for success and significance. Success without suffering will most likely make us self-absorbed and self-sufficient. Suffering tampers with our self-confidence and will make us God-reliant and God-confident. Suffering breaks down selfishness and makes us selfless.
2. Seasoned: Suffering takes us through the furnace of fire and brings us out bright and benevolent. It was the wilderness of suffering that shaped David into a seasoned king. The ‘sting of suffering’ kills selfishness and makes us seasoned influencers.
3. Significant: Suffering moves us from desiring success to seeking significance. “Success is when you add value to yourself but significance is when you add value to others.” A successful person struggles to think beyond himself, but’ the significant’ put others ahead of themselves.
The furnace of suffering chips away selfishness and changes us from chasing after success to pursuing significance.
The gift of leadership and influence is seasoned in the furnace of suffering.
2 Samuel 7:8 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.
Prayer: Sovereign Lord, give me the submission to go through suffering and let the furnace of suffering produce selflessness and significance. Make me a seasoned influencer to those who are around me. Amen.
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