I’ve never thought of myself as a leader.

Even something as simple as heading a baby or bridal shower gives me stress. How about I make the spinach dip and someone else be in charge? Please!!!

But every now and then, whether I like it or not, life (and God) throws a situation my way. And as I look around to see if someone out there is going to do something about it, I see God pointing His finger….right at me.

In Mike Hayes’ book, “Influence,” he states, “Whether we were born to lead or not, at some time in our lives a situation will demand that we provide leadership.”

In Judges 9, Israel had just made a bad choice for a leader. In response, a man by the name of Jotham, stands up and shares the following allegory….

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves.

They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’ But the olive tree refused, not wanting to give up his oil to sway over the trees.

So the trees asked the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’ But the fig tree refused, unwilling to give up it’s fruit to sway over the trees.

Then the trees asked the vine. The vine also refused, unwilling to give up its wine to sway over the trees.

Finally all the trees said to the thorn bush, ‘Come and be our king.’

The thorn bush agreed. But the thorn bush lied for it could not provide shade. It can only stick, hurt and harm the other trees.

The moral of the story?

When good productive trees refuse to lead, the thorn bush will. Similarly, when we as believers refuse to lead, the ungodly will. (Pastor Mike Hayes)

I love the picture above. Our sweet little cousin is desiring someone to lead her. Thankfully, that’s my son in front of her (and not an evil thorn bush).

The world around us is just like that little girl…there is a constant need for good, Godly and trustworthy leadership.

So the next time God prompts our hearts to lead, may we remember the words of the wise prophet in Judges.

If we don’t lead, the thorn bush will.

-Binu