Leading verses Managing is an age old conflict. The meaning of these two are not the same thing at all. Managing is the control of things to keep them in order. Leading is the inspiring of to complete things. What a difference when you look at it from those differences.
“35Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.” – Psalm 119:35 (ESV)
I see this verse and am drawn to two parts this morning, “lead me” and “I delight in it”. The first is the idea of being led. Being inspired. Being driven to work and complete the commands of God. He provides me with tasks to complete and those are commanded by Him. I have a duty to complete them for His glory.
The second is the idea of enjoying the idea of being led. Wanting to be inspired. Wanting to be driven to work and complete the commands of God. He provides me with tasks to complete and those are commanded by Him and I am happy and excited and inspired to complete them for His glory. Yes there is the sense of duty to work, but I don’t do it out of duty, I do it out of joy. I want to do His work and whistle the entire time.
I can say with confidence that most of us do not want to be managed or controlled to complete tasks. In fact I hear in the business world all the time of not wanting to be “micro-managed” in doing work. I will say that being led seems to be the choice. Being inspired to do work. And being led by God is that which should be bringing joy to us all. We should as stated in the verse above, “delight in it”.
When you are completing tasks, are you feeling managed or led to do so? Are you doing things out of a sense of duty? What if we approached the tasks that God has for us out of a sense of joy and inspiration and what if you truly were to “delight in it”?
Trevor's Thoughts 