Reflection on Today's Quote
Funny thing about leadership—everyone wants to sit in the front seat, but no one wants to read the map first.
This quote? It hits hard because it reveals something a lot of people miss: authority isn’t just handed to you because you want it. It’s built on humility. Before you can give orders, you have to understand what it means to follow them. Not out of weakness, but out of wisdom.
When you’ve obeyed, especially when it was hard or didn’t make sense, you pick up something priceless: perspective. You learn what respect feels like from the other side. You recognize the weight of responsibility. You know how frustrating it is to be overlooked or misunderstood. And because you’ve been there, you’re less likely to become the kind of leader who barks orders just to hear your own echo.
Obedience teaches patience. It grows character. It makes your voice carry more weight when you finally lead—because you’ve earned it in the trenches, not just dreamt it from the bleachers.
So if you’re in a season of following, don’t fight it. Absorb everything. Watch. Listen. Sharpen your instincts. Because when your time comes to lead, you’ll be leading people—not pawns. And they’ll follow you, not because they have to, but because they trust that you get it. You’ve walked the road. You’ve obeyed. Now, you’re ready.
Step Up To The Challenge
Think of one area in your life—your job, your home, your church, anywhere—where you’re not in charge but you’re involved. Today, instead of just doing what’s asked, lean in. Ask the person leading how you can support them better. Really listen. Do the task with intention, not obligation.
Then reflect: What did I learn from following well today?
Because sometimes the best commanders are forged in the quiet moments of obedient service. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)