In today’s fast-paced world, especially in leadership, it’s easy to find ourselves running on empty. The endless meetings, the constant demands, and the pressure to keep up with every task can quickly pull us away from what matters most—time with God. But here’s a question: how can we lead well if we’re spiritually depleted? How can we guide others with wisdom and strength if we’re not fueling our own souls?
As leaders, we often skip the basics. Prayer, quiet time, and reflection can feel like luxuries we can’t afford when the demands of leadership are piling up. But the truth is, these spiritual practices aren’t just luxuries—they are essentials. Without them, our leadership becomes like a car running on fumes, struggling to keep going without the fuel it needs to thrive.
One leader who understood this principle deeply was Abraham Lincoln. During the Civil War, as he carried the weight of a nation torn apart, Lincoln was constantly under pressure. The loss of life, the divided nation, and the responsibility of being president in such a critical time could have consumed him. But Lincoln didn’t let his busyness rob him of time with God.
In fact, many of his closest associates noticed that Lincoln, despite the overwhelming demands of his presidency, regularly made time for prayer and reflection. One of the most famous accounts comes from 1862, when Lincoln was struggling with the immense burden of the war. His friends and family reported that during this time, he would retreat to solitude to pray. His words during this period speak volumes: “I have often been driven to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”
Imagine that. The leader of the free world, with every eye on him, taking time to surrender in prayer. Lincoln understood that to lead with strength and clarity, he needed to first be spiritually filled. His times of prayer weren’t just about seeking wisdom; they were about surrender. He knew that, without God’s guidance, his leadership would falter.
This is the essence of leadership that begins with surrender. True leadership doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from doing less—but doing what matters most. When we prioritize our relationship with God, we lead from a place of peace, strength, and wisdom that cannot be manufactured by sheer effort alone.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When we make time for God in the busyness of leadership, He replaces anxiety with peace and refuels us for the tasks ahead.
As leaders, we often think we must always be on the go, solving problems, making decisions, and being present for others. But the best leaders know when to slow down, step back, and spend time with the One who gives them the strength to lead. Leadership is not about doing everything; it’s about doing what God has called you to do with His power and perspective.
Here are a few leadership principles that come from this truth:
1. Time with God is non-negotiable: Just as we prioritize meetings and appointments, we must prioritize our time with God. It’s not a luxury—it’s a necessity for effective leadership.
2. Lead from a place of rest, not exhaustion: When we take time to connect with God, we can lead with a sense of peace and clarity that enables us to make better decisions, rather than simply reacting out of fatigue.
3. Surrender is strength: It takes humility to admit that we need help, but it also takes courage to surrender our leadership to God’s will. In doing so, we tap into a divine strength that empowers us to lead with wisdom and purpose.
4. We can’t give what we don’t have: Just like Lincoln, we can’t give to others from an empty soul. We need to be spiritually filled in order to pour out to those we lead.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to let the basics slip away. But let’s not forget that the foundation of great leadership is not in our own strength, but in the time we spend with God, refueling and surrendering. Just like Abraham Lincoln, we can lead effectively and with purpose when we prioritize our relationship with Him.
Make time for God today. Don’t wait until you’re running on empty. Surrender your time, your plans, and your leadership to Him. When you do, you’ll find that the strength to lead comes not from your own efforts, but from the One who has already equipped you to lead with grace and power.
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