Stay Grounded-I Was Prepared For This Pt. III

[Pastor David Anthony Clarke]

I Was Prepared For This, Pt. III
By David Anthony Clarke, Sr.

He was born one of four children in Jackson, Michigan in 1955. As early as 14 years old, his accomplishments as a high school athlete were featured in Sports Illustrated. He played quarterback for the University of Minnesota and after four years, he was their career leader in pass attempts, completions, touchdown passes, and passing yards. He received Minnesota’s Most Valuable Player award twice.

Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was a part of their 1978 Superbowl championship team. After coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for six years, he was hired as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and in 2007, Tony Dungy led them to win the Superbowl and became the first African American head coach to do so.

Immediately following the win, Tony Dungy acknowledged God helping the team with their success. He gave God the glory and said, “He did it in such a way that nobody would believe and we gotta give the Lord a lot of credit for giving us the strength to do it.”

Tony showed he was prepared for success by acknowledging where his help truly came from. Too many leaders get to the top and get beside themselves, become too full of themselves, and head for a fall. It doesn’t have to be that way. If the Lord blesses you to make it to the top, show how prepared you are by seeking His help and praising Him every time He comes through for you.

The Scripture we’ve been looking at for the past two months, II Sam. 5:17-25, shows the recently elevated King David in another battle with the Philistines. David shows he’s prepared for the pressure he’s under by repeatedly seeking God’s help (v. 19, 23) and giving God the praise for his victory (v.20).

David was prepared because he sought God for help and gave him praise on his way to the top. One of the psalms David wrote on his way to the throne over Israel was Psalms 57. He wrote this psalm as he ran from Saul, the current king. David starts out asking God for mercy, which is God’s supernatural help (v. 1), and resolving to give God praise (v.7-9). This habit of worship-trusting God for help and praising Him when He gave it was preparing David to get to the top and stay there.

Truly great leaders aren’t ruined by their own success. Just as Tony and King David were prepared for the pressures and battles at the top, we must be prepared as well. What can empower us to lead as persons of value and keep us grounded? Two simple things: prayer and praise. Continually seek the Lord’s help through prayer and give Him the praise when He comes through for you. Albert Einstein said, "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."

Here are a few insights on prayer and praise:

1. Seeking God’s guidance through prayer does not make you less of a leader. It reflects great courage because it keeps you from having to always have the answers. It also reflects that a leader truly knows who they ultimately have to please-the Lord. The pressures of always having to have the answers and trying to please everyone but the right One can certainly lead to burnout!
2. Praising God for giving you victory prepares you for more victories.
3. Trusting God for guidance and praising Him for our victories keeps us from depending too much on our own intellect, experience, education, and other things about ourselves we often overestimate. You can either say, “Amen” or “Ouch”, but please, keep reading. We’re almost done.
4. Trusting God for guidance and praising Him for our victories keeps us from the self-destructive power of pride. Pride goes just before a fall (Prov. 16:18-19). Me, you, Tony, and King David waited too long and fought too hard to get promoted to let our own pride bring us down. As leaders, we have enough stuff and people trying to whoop our butts. Don’t whoop your own (Clarke 1:1).
5. Trusting God for guidance and praising Him for our victories reflect great qualities such as integrity, discipline, and humility. Integrity keeps us from taking credit for what we have not done alone. Discipline keeps us within the boundaries that usher in a truly prosperous life. Humility keeps God showing up in your struggles. He gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6).

The throne of Israel was prepared for David and David proved he was prepared for the throne of Israel. Prepare yourself for the greater measures of success God has prepared for you. Let’s keep ourselves grounded through persistent prayer and praise unto God who deserves all the glory for the awesome things He persistently does for us. Without Him, we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5) and with Him, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). Be encouraged!

Copyright © 2008 by David Anthony Clarke
All rights reserved

[Rev. Ernest Santiful Jr]

God's blessings upon you,
Man of God continue to spread the word of prayer, continue to be the servant God has called you to be. In times like these with so many wondering, let them know HE is a Wonder down in our souls. Blesseings upon you, Rev. E. R. Santiful, Jr. St. Mark Church Balto. MD.

[PASTOR Joseph D Smith]

outstanding keep teaching preacher

[Dr. M. Frances Manning-Fontaine]

Thanks for sharing....Prolific....