John Stanko

"Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, 'Come,
let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised
men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing
can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many
or by few.' 'Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer
said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul'" - 1 Samuel 14:6-7.

Jonathan proposed a bold plan to attack the Philistines (something his father Saul with the army refused to do) and his armor-bearer agreed wholeheartedly to accompany him. Jonathan provided the leadership and his armor-bearer the followership and together they were able to create such a stir that eventually the army of Israel moved out of fear and attacked as well. Here we see that: 1) leaders provide adventure and purpose; 2) leaders need at least one follower to be a leader; 3) the armor-bearer also became a leader of Israel through his courageous followership; 4) courageous leaders and followers operate in faith; and 5) courageous followers encourage leaders to act on their leadership vision.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Are you creating enough exciting opportunities for people to express their followership? Today's Step is to identify your followers and their reasons for following. Are they following your vision or out of fear? Do they have faith or are they living off your faith? Can you speak to them and they respond with their own courage and vision? One other thing to consider: have you been a good follower when required so that you are reaping what you have sown?