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A COMMUNITY EFFORT (1 CHRONICLES 29:1-9)

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “A community effort” A community effort is when a group of people come together to solve a problem or unite to overcome a common challenge. King David had the intention to build a Temple for the Lord but God rather chose David’s son, King Solomon to build the Temple. Nevertheless, David took a keen interest in the Temple project by drawing the blueprint of the Temple, providing the logistics or materials needed and workforce required for Solomon to successfully build the Temple. Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great because this palatial structure is not for man but for the LORD God.” (1 Chronicles 29:1). We shall reflect on the fact that exemplary and impactful leadership ignites a community effort.

Beloved in the Lord, selfless, exemplary and impactful leadership is required to ignite the flame of unity of purpose and effort by a community of people with a shared vision. David was a selfless leader who did not only use his power and influence to gather resources for the building of the Temple but he personally contributed materials needed for the successful building of the Temple when he said, “Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: 4 three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, 5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen.” (1 Chronicles 29:3-5). In other words, David demonstrated leadership by example. Exemplary leadership has a great impact on a community of people who are led. Exemplary leadership serves as a great motivation for followers. Some leaders are unable to impact or positively influence their community because they have not shown any tangible or emolutory footsteps for others to follow. A Church leader who wants his or her church members to give must first cultivate the habit of giving or must be seen to be giving. Political leaders who want citizens to be patriotic must first be patriotic by serving the nation devoid of corruption and personal interest or gains. A leader who wants his or her followers to be selfless must first be selfless. A leader who has an expectation of his followers must first meet the expectation of the followers by living an exemplary and impact life that the followers can emulate. In other words, a leader’s effort will ignite a community effort, however, a leader’s indifference will also call for a community’s lack of zeal and non-participation in the development of the community.

We see the result of David’s exemplary and impactful leadership when He asked Israelites for their support,“Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the LORD today?” (1 Chronicles 29:5). David had an overwhelming community effort and support to ensure that the Temple is built. Surely, one good turn deserves another. We are told, “… the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly…The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.” (1 Chronicles 29:6,9). It is important to note that a leader cannot succeed without his or her community’s effort or participation. A leader may have the ideas but it takes a community effort to bring the ideas and plans to fruition. In other words, no leader has ever succeeded with a community effort. It is for this reason, that leaders must dialogue with the people, listen to their concerns and be willing to work with them for the common good. Arrogance and self-sufficiency will lead to a failure on the part of a leader who does not involve his or her community. The early Church succeeded because of the gift of fellowship and community effort, we are told, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts” (Acts 2:44-46)

In summary, we have learnt that selfless, exemplary and impactful leadership ignites a community effort. Shalom.

PRAYER

Almighty God, strengthen our leaders in both church and society to live impactful and exemplary lives so that the people in our communities will be greatly influenced to work together to build a prosperous nation and church to the glory of your Holy Name. Amen.