King David was a leader in the truest sense. In fact, one of the things that made him so exceptional is that he got down in the trenches with his troops. As he retreated in the cave of Adullum with his comrades, he grew tired of drinking mucky “cave water” and longed for some fresh, cool H20. Though he would have been within his right to send his men out to fetch him a drink, he refrained because that order would have put them in danger. In the eyes of worldly rank, it wasn’t right for the king to be stuck hiding in a cave, but David was committed to taking back his homeland of Bethlehem from the Philistines. Never one to be lofty and give orders, he had the spirit of a warrior and often put himself in harm’s way for the sake of his nation and his troops. Though some kings sit high on thrones, the man after God’s own heart taught us to lead like a servant, even from the obscurity of a cave. 

Leaders do not sit in high places, my friend. If you want to have influence in this world, the most powerful thing you can do is step out of the limelight and get in the trenches with your troops. Be real about your humanity and don’t exploit the ones over whom you have been delegated authority. Instead, be humble and willing to deny yourself for the sake of setting the example of servanthood for your team. Jesus came not to be served but to serve, and your greatest impact comes when you are willing to step down from the podium, and if necessary, lead in obscurity for the sake of a greater victory!