Are you leading with a God-centered focus? It is an important question and one worth pondering for a bit as we begin the New Year.
Most Americans begin the New Year intending to make improvements in their lives. In 2020, a survey found nearly 65% of Americans said they planned to learn something new, make a lifestyle change, or set a personal goal.
We establish these resolutions hoping to become better versions of ourselves.
I want to suggest the best work-related resolution you can set for yourself in 2021 is to lead with a God-centered focus.
I-Centered versus God-Centered Leaders
There are many examples of both I-centered and God-centered leaders in the Bible.
As a group, most kings of Israel were I-centered leaders. Their focus was on themselves and what they accomplished on their own.
On the other hand, most prophets of Israel were God-centered leaders. Their focus was on delivering God’s message to the people, even if that message was unpleasant.
So, as you can see, the difference between being an I-centered and God-center leader is how you direct your focus. Is it on you, or is it on God?
One example of a God-centered leader is Joseph. Let’s examine Joseph’s relationship with God and how Joseph responded to different situations to see what makes him a God-centered leader.
Joseph’s Relationship with God
We know Joseph had a close relationship with God. Several times, the scriptures tell us, “the Lord was with Joseph.”
- The Lord was with Joseph in slavery (Genesis 39:1-6).
- The Lord was with Joseph in temptation (Genesis 39:7-12).
- The Lord was with Joseph when Pharaoh’s wife accused Joseph of rape (Genesis 39:13-19).
- The Lord was with Joseph in prison (Genesis 39:20-23).
So, despite the trials and tribulations he endured, Joseph maintained a close relationship with God. As a result, God blessed Joseph in everything he did (Genesis 39:23).
Joseph as A God-Centered Leader
While Joseph was in prison, Pharaoh sent two of his officials, the chief cupbearer and baker, to prison. They were both put under Joseph’s care.
One morning, the cupbearer and baker announced they had had dreams the night before but didn’t understand them. They were upset because they didn’t understand their dreams, and no one could interpret them (Genesis 40:1-8a).
Rather than saying, “Well, I am an expert at interpreting dreams. What were your dreams?” Joseph said, “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8b)
Joseph was effectively saying, “I don’t have the power to interpret your dreams, but God does.”
In a separate yet similar instance, Pharaoh had a dream, and no one could interpret his dream for him. So, when Pharaoh heard about Joseph, the dream interpreter, he sent for Joseph. Pharaoh asked Joseph to interpret his dream. Joseph told Pharaoh, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires” (Genesis 41:16).
This is the difference between an I-centered leader and a God-centered leader. Joseph made no claims about his abilities as a dream interpreter; he didn’t brag about his skills or call attention to himself. Instead, he said, the ability to interpret dreams was God’s alone.
Joseph’s focus on God and His power is what makes Joseph a God-centered leader.
The distinction between I-centered and God-centered leaders runs throughout the Scripture.
Apart from Me, You Can Do Nothing
Jesus taught the principle of God-centered leadership to the disciples through the metaphor of a grapevine.
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8 (NIV)
The key to this passage is the phrase, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Nothing. Separated from the power of God, we can do nothing.
Leaders who recognize they can do nothing apart from God’s power are leading as God-centered leaders. They are not leading as I-centered or even circumstance-centered leaders.
My Challenge to You
Whether you are a young person establishing your career or a seasoned executive, my challenge to you moving into the next year is to admit you can do nothing apart from God’s power. Only then will you be the God-centered leader He intends you to be!
More Articles
I have written several articles on a leader’s dependence on God. You can find them by typing “Dependence on God” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are four of my favorites.
- #399: What Was the Most Important Question Jesus Asked?
- #384: Don’t Listen to Your Critics. Listen to God Instead!
- #377: Are You Filled with Hope, Joy, and Peace?
- #371: Weak Leaders Create One Problem After Another
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you worked with leaders who were I-centered rather than God-centered? How does the “I” versus “God” focus of a leader impact an organization?
I’d love your help. This blog is read primarily because of people like you who share it with friends. Would you be kind enough to share it by pressing the share button?
Category: Personal Development | Dependence on God
We are such an ego-centric society. So much of social media revolves around “selfies” and a “look at me” mentality. In the workplace, despite inspired talk about “collaboration” many remain focused on themselves. There’s nothing wrong with ambition, so long as one doesn’t achieve by tearing down others. A “God-centric” focus reminds us that it’s more important to live a virtuous life than a narcissistic one. People often make fun of the question “What would Jesus do?” but imagine if more people shaped their behavior around the answer to that question.
I remember when the “WWJD” craze started a few years ago with bracelets, t-shirts, etc. You’re so right. Perhaps if more people started asking themselves WWJD? their focus would shift from “me” to “thee!”