Kalina reached out to me recently to share the shepherd leadership blog she wrote as part of her Abigail Adams Award. Here is an excerpt:
“I need to remember that God is strong enough for both of us, and I can take risks for Him knowing that He’s got my back.”
“Effective, loving shepherding is incredibly important in the leadership of any community; the most significant attributes of good shepherding are provision, protection, and presence.
“Throughout the Challenges [work required to complete the Shepherd Leadership Patch], protection stood out as something I need to improve on. In my position in life, protection could look like standing up for someone, babysitting, or strengthening a friend who feels defeated by the world. Sometimes, these tasks and situations require courage, and I don’t always have the courage it takes. I need to remember that God is strong enough for both of us, and I can take risks for Him knowing that He’s got my back.”
Our girl heard about the boss’s devastating condition. In an act of courageous leadership, she approached this high-ranking official’s wife to give them advice on what the captain should do to be healed. She explained that she had a personal relationship of faith in the One True God. She said this captain must travel to her country and talk to the prophet who would tell him about the Sovereign Lord God who could heal him from this terrible disease. It was not her responsibility as a forced laborer to fix the boss’s health, but she demonstrated courageous leadership out of her love for God.
Shepherd leadership demonstrates three principles in our relationships with others: Presence, Protection, and Provision. Our Old Testament girl demonstrated Presence toward the military captain by ensuring he received God’s message. She demonstrated Provision by connecting him to the Living God who could heal his body. She demonstrated Protection by leading him to the One True God who could give him a future.
Spoiler alert: God radically heals her boss after he humbles himself completely. With clean skin like a young boy, our military captain goes on to declare his newfound faith in the One True God. Our slave girl, even while desperately
homesick, demonstrates her unwavering confidence in God. It’s amazing what life-altering influence one girl can have!
