In my experience, people of purpose are people of passion. Some leaders are passionate about the wrong things, but the right purpose breeds the right passion in Godly servant leaders!
Perhaps one of the best examples of a leader with purpose who exhibited great passion was also one of the most overlooked leaders of the Old Testament.
Most of us are familiar with the story of the Israelites who left slavery and Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. When they reached the edge of the Promised Land, God instructed Moses to send a group of twelve men to survey the land and bring back a report.
When the report was given, ten men said that while the land was great and prosperous, they would never be able to conquer it. The people, they said, were simply too strong to be defeated. Only two men, Joshua and Caleb, stepped forward and said, no, we can take this land just as God promised us.
Caleb was the first to step forward to persuade the naysayers and leaders of Israel that they could indeed possess the land. Caleb’s faith and leadership portrayed in just a few verses paint a picture of a servant leader worth knowing!
4 Attributes of Caleb the Servant Leader
Studying the life of Caleb, it is clear that he passionately pursued his calling in life. There are four noteworthy character traits apparent throughout his life. Caleb was a humble man who saw opportunity where others didn’t. He was fiercely loyal and pursued his passion to the end of his life.
These are attributes every servant leader should emulate!
1. Humble
From his story, we know Caleb is a courageous leader. However, when God describes Caleb, He says, “my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly” (Numbers 14:24).
Many leaders portrayed in the Scripture start humble, but their quest for power and recognition takes over, making them prideful. The same is true of many leaders today; they start humble but become prideful pursuing prestige.
Caleb, however, had a humble spirit that sustained him throughout his life because he followed God wholeheartedly.
Every servant leader I know is a humble leader.
2. Sees Opportunity
When we first encounter Caleb, he is appointed to represent the tribe of Judah as one of the spies sent to inspect the Promised Land. Upon returning from his mission, Caleb was the first to speak out, saying they should “go up and take the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30). Where others expressed fear at going forward, Caleb saw the opportunity that lay before them and trusted in God’s promise to take the land.
Servant leaders often see opportunities that others miss and are willing to move forward because they courageously trust God even when opposed by the majority.
3. Loyal
When Caleb’s appeal to press forward into the Promised Land failed, the people threatened to stone him, but Caleb didn’t back down. He remained loyal to the Lord, “following him wholeheartedly” (Numbers 14:30).
For the next 39 years, as the Israelites wandered the desert, Caleb remained loyal to God, following Him wholeheartedly.
The test of true loyalty comes amid challenging and controversial times. The strength of a servant leader’s character enables them to remain loyal in the face of trials.
4. Finish Well
Finally, the Israelites crossed the Jordan and began conquering the enemies and securing the land, so it could be divided among the tribes just as God had promised Moses 40-years before.
Caleb went to Joshua and reminded him of God’s promise that he would inherit the land he had surveyed. Despite being 85 years old, Caleb stood before Joshua and said that he was just as vigorous as he had been in his youth and was ready to fight to claim his inheritance in the Promised Land (Joshua 14:7-12).
Caleb waited 45 years to claim the promise of his inheritance and was still ready to fight to claim it after all this time. Among all the leaders of the tribes of Israel, Caleb was the only one who followed God’s instruction to rid the land entirely of their enemies and not to leave a remnant that would become a stumbling block to them.
Caleb’s determination to claim the promised inheritance after decades of wandering in the desert reminds me of Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
Servant leaders who follow God wholeheartedly, as Caleb did, are determined to persevere through trials and tribulations to finish what God has called them to accomplish.
The Right Purpose Breeds the Right Passion in A Servant Leader
Caleb joined the Israelites because of his wholehearted devotion to God. This devotion to God sustained him throughout his life. As a young man, he saw an opportunity while others saw only obstacles. He was courageous in the face of opposition. Over decades he remained humble yet confident because of his faith in God and His promises.
Caleb’s focus on his purpose, His calling from God, gave him a passion that endured throughout his life.
Focusing wholeheartedly on God will be evident in our courage, spirit, and attitude. We will be, as God described Caleb, “different from the others” (Numbers 14:24). This is a difference we should all emulate!
More Articles
I have written several articles on servant leadership. You can find them by typing “servant leadership” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are some of my favorites.
- #478: The Strongest Servant Leaders Are Also Adept Leader Makers
- #456: 8 Signs of A Courageous Christian Servant Leader
- #427: Powerful, Faithful Godly Leaders Embody These Two Traits
- #414: What Is Different About A Leader in The Kingdom of God?
- #374: Is Serving What We Are Called to Do?
- #309: Do You Know This Servant-Hearted Seamstress Who Caused A Revival?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Do you know leaders whose Godly purpose drove their passion? Were they better leaders as a result?
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: Relationships | Servant Leadership
“As a young man, he saw an opportunity while others saw only obstacles.” I think of others in history and life who, like Caleb, could see beyond the impediments of life to the prize. Having the right purpose is critical to one’s passion.
To an optimist, obstacles are merely new opportunities. To a pessimist, opportunities are obstacles!