When I was younger, I was ready to take on the world and wanted to do something great. I had zeal, excitement, and a lot of energy but I didn’t have a lot of understanding or wisdom. We must realize if we are to have authority in any area we must have the favor of God AND the favor of man on their lives. In fact, even Jesus himself kept “increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men,” (Luke 2:52).
King David is a great example of this principle. Samuel the prophet was instructed by God to anoint a man king from the house of Jesse. The Prophet went to Jesse’s house and commanded all of his sons to pass before him. When the last of seven sons stood before Samuel, the Prophet was bewildered, “are these all of your children?” Samuel inquired. “No, there remains yet the youngest, and he is tending the sheep,” Jesse replied. “Send and bring him to me,” Samuel insisted.
When David finally arrived at the house, the Lord said to Samuel, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward,” (See 1Samuel 16:1-13). If you didn’t know the biblical account, you probably would assume that David became king that day. But the fact is David didn’t become king for fourteen long years!
Finally King Saul died in battle and “the men of Judah came and anointed David king over the house of Judah,” (2 Samuel 2:4). And then seven years later, “all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the LORD at Hebron; then they anointed David king over Israel,” (2 Samuel 5:3). It’s important to note here that David was anointed to be king three different times; once by God (through Samuel), and twice by men.
The point that I’m trying to make here is that God may have called you to be in a specific area, but until the leaders in that metron (sphere of authority) recognize, invite, and empower you to have influence and authority, you are only a leader to yourself. And John Maxwell says, “He who leads and has no followers is only taking a walk.”