Created to Lead

Scripture

Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)

"Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth"

Observation

Creation is a beautiful thing, God created everything just by speaking it. We see that in the first 5 days of creation but then He gets to the sixth day and God creates man. What we see in the creation of man is that God says "Let us make man in Our image." Jack Hayford says that "Through the two of them (man and woman), He intended to live and reveal Himself in the world. Through them God intended to manifest His character and authority (image), express His dominion over the Earth, display His indisputable power over the works of darkness, and subdue His archenemy, Satan."
It is important that we realize this, that God created us to be a shining example of Him. We are not created in God's image because we look like Him but because we are able to display God's character and will. Another difference in the creation of man is that Genesis 2:7 says that God breathed the breath of life into man. While the phrasing in Hebrew is not the same, I believe that the meaning here is the same as Ruach. When God says he breathed the breath (nĕshamah) of life. I believe that He is breathing His spirit into man, and this is why we are different than all of God's creations. God establishes His spirit in Adam and gives Adam dominion over all of creation. I think it is important to note that Adam has the ability to live in communion with God, but sin creeps in as we see in Genesis 3 and we see this Holy communion between God and man come to an end. We see this same scenario play out in the lives of many biblical leaders and in our own lives.

Application

By accepting Christ and asking for forgiveness, we are adopted back into the family of God and we are able to live in communion with God. This doesn't come without some work on our part. We have to strive to live a sin free life and we have to strive to live a life that is pleasing to God. Like Adam and Eve before us, we have been given a gift and just like Adam and Eve if we are unable to accept God's authority in our lives, we will face the consequences. It is vital that I accept the authority that God has over me, and also accept the authority that God has placed in my life. If I truly want to be a leader and have dominion in this world I need to learn how to be under authority(both God and man).

Prayer

Father God, I desire nothing more than to follow you. Create in me a clean heart and a spirit of cooperation, instead of a spirit of rebellion. Help me be a better follower, so that I can be a better leader. Continue to breath your spirit into me and allow Your spirit to overflow out of me and into the people you have placed in my life.