Music was blaring in the background in preparation for the Christian concert about to take place. I had left my seat to explore the bookstore to see if I could find my next devotional book since I had some time to spare. 

My eyes landed on one book, Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders, and I knew I was supposed to read it! I bought the book and spent the next couple of days on my Christian College Retreat reading and highlighting the content inside. As a college student who was unsure what my purpose was, finding this book and being led by the Holy Spirit to read it was exciting for me. I kept feeling the Lord was calling me to be a spiritual leader in some form or fashion.. a purpose I never pictured for myself before that day. 

 As my college retreat ended, I returned home to finish out my Christmas break. At home, I was so excited to share the news that I had finally found a direction of purpose for my life– spiritual leadership. My excitement grew as I continued to read the book and felt my spirit confirm this calling on my life. But, that excitement grew cold much faster than I could have prepared for. 

 I had left my book on the kitchen table a couple days after returning home when a family member picked it up. After seeing my notes and highlighted sentences, this family member brought the book to me and asked what it was for. With excitement, I shared how I felt the Lord was calling me to spiritual leadership, and I wanted to learn more about it. I bought the book to help understand the role and the obstacles one would face as a spiritual leader. In response to my excitement, my family member chuckled and replied, “I cannot see you as a spiritual leader. You do not have what it takes.” That family member then brought the conversation to others in the family and they readily agreed. 

My excitement grew cold, and I never picked up that book to read again.

Now, over a decade later, I look at my Spiritual Leadership book sitting on my bookshelf and smile. Several times I wanted to start the book again, but I never did. Something about those moments with my family had severed all desire to read that book. Nevertheless, I kept it as a reminder that even when those closest to me doubted my anointing, God didn’t. 

You see, there are going to be many people who will cheer for your downfall. Many people will want you to fail, regardless if they bluntly speak it to you or not. But, whether or not people support and encourage you doesn’t matter to God. He will still be faithful and provide everything you need to carry out His will through His anointing on your life. Your ability to live in the abundance of God’s Will is not dependent on how others feel about you, but on the faithfulness of our Father. And He is always faithful. 

You have been called to a powerful life in Jesus, but if you have lost your excitement because of the reactions of others, let me be the first one to tell you– I believe in you. I believe in your calling. I believe you weren’t made to live a mediocre life just to avoid conflict and jealousy from those around you. I believe God intends for you to experience His signs and wonders and miracles in every avenue He has destined for you because that’s what He says in His Word! 

While God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 
Hebrews 2:4 

You were created with a powerful purpose and with strengths and talents supernaturally woven into your being. And, if you’ve stopped dreaming with Jesus, I hope this helps you begin to dream again. You are worth it!

For me, maybe it’s time for me to pick up my book again and silence the doubt of others associated with it once and for all. I will be a spiritual leader… not because I called upon it myself, but because my Savior destined me for His glory!

Be blessed!