Your Destiny is Connected to Your Leader

By Pastor Steve Kelly / Books /

(Adapted from the Accent of Leadership)

Your destiny is directed by your decisions and influenced by the voices you allow to speak into your life. Think for a second – can you remember a time when someone gave you bad advice? I’m sure you can. Perhaps in the moment, their words appeared to provide an answer to your problem, but with hindsight, you realize the folly in their advice. We can only follow those we allow to lead us, but once we allow a person to influence our thoughts and actions, we are giving them permission to influence our destiny. There’s a lot of noise in modern life. The media is constantly sending messages your way. You cannot always control the voices you hear around you, but you can choose which ones you listen to.

Here’s a few points to consider when you choose the voices that will be allowed to speak to your life. First, there is a difference between good advice and Godly advice. As Christians, those who we allow to speak into our lives should have integrity. When a Godly leader influences you, they are offering you their wisdom and accountability and it adds to your personal leadership growth. Do the people advising you demonstrate a life of integrity? Are they well respected by people in the community? Do they have a track record of honor and trustworthiness? Ensuring that you have Godly people speaking wise counsel into your life is a strategic element in pursuing your destiny.

Of course, you have to know where to find the Godly advisors. While it may seem obvious, I have found that many people don’t consider this next point in choosing who they will listen to. The Bible says that the best place to find Godly leaders is in the church. Psalm 92:13 says, “They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish…” When you commit to attending and planting yourself in a church, it places you in good soil to put down spiritual roots and grow deeper in your faith in Christ. A healthy church environment cultivates wisdom and growth, which will give you access to the collective wisdom of mature Christians.

If you are not part of a church today, I encourage you to find one. This is a crucial element to growing in your faith. For those who have a church, I challenge you to not be afraid to trust the people whom God has appointed as leaders over your life. Remain planted in those relationships God has called you to be a part of, listen to their wisdom, apply their teaching, and watch your destiny be fulfilled.