GUEST AUTHOR:  Dr. Steve Strombeck serves Jessup as Professor of Marketing and Director of the MBA program.

Leadership character more commonly develops through turbulent seas, than through quiet ones.

The fierce gale of wind that God brought down on the sea of Galilee had an eternal purpose: to test the faith of the twelve disciples. Were these men not singing their unwavering devotion to God days earlier in the synagogue? Yet, where were their praises here in the tempest? It is one thing for leaders to profess their love for the Lord in the company of other believers, but quite another to remain steadfast in devotion when all hell seemingly breaks loose.

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God’s character emanates unconditional love, but in no way does this mean He seeks only our comfort (Heb. 12:6).

At times, He causes us to lie down in green pastures for rest and renewal. But in conforming us to the image of Christ, our heavenly Father will spare no expense in the molding process, both to the willing of heart and to the unwilling.

Recall that it was God who brought to Satan’s attention His faithful servant Job.

The Lord God declared “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:8). The Lord was so pleased with Job’s faithfulness that He knew his servant could withstand the leadership test of significant trials. Job knew God deeply, and yet only through affliction (Is. 48:10) would he come to embrace the glorious knowledge of God’s unfathomable ways (Job 42:1-3).

Arguably Israel’s greatest leader, David, asked of God something that few would dare to request.

“Probe my heart Lord and purge from me everything that is not You! Hammer out of me, on the anvil of Your choosing, anything in my heart that doesn’t demonstrate Your absolute Lordship over my life”

(Ps. 139:23-24; paraphrased for context).

Authentic faith and leadership always comes at a price for leaders like you and me!

This then begs the question: As a leader, how might God be shaping you through trial? Will you seek Him or resist Him in the process?

Stephen Strombeck, Ph.D.

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