Leading from a Renovated Heart

“Our life and how we find the world now and in the future is, almost totally, a simple result of what we have become in the depths of our being - in our spirits, will, or heart. From there we see our world and interpret reality. From there we make our choices, break forth into action, try to change our world. We live from our depths…” (Dallas Willard in Renovation of the Heart, p. 13).

Samuel was going through the interview process to find a new king for Israel. God had already narrowed down the field by directing Samuel to Jesse’s family in Bethlehem. By all appearances, Jesses’ first son looked like a shoe-in for the job, but God said no. He explained to Samuel that people look at outward appearances whereas God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). God rejected six more of Jesse’s sons. There was only one left, David, and he was out tending the sheep. When David makes his appearance, God confirms that David is the guy. This young shepherd evidently had the right stuff in the inside. Samuel anoints him the next king of Israel. When God raises up leaders, often the most important leadership quality is the condition of their hearts. We live and lead from our depths.