Leadership for a Broken World

 

The Right Time to Rise

“This is what the Lord says:

 ‘I anoint you king over Israel.’” 

 2 Kings 9:6 

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 9:1-13

In turbulent times, God raises leaders—not for their own fame or comfort, but to accomplish His justice and mercy in the world. Jehu was one such leader. Anointed by God through the prophet Elisha, he was called to confront a corrupt dynasty, dismantle systemic evil, and fulfill God’s prophetic word. Jehu didn’t act rashly; he discerned the time, listened to counsel, and moved decisively when God called. His leadership was disruptive but necessary—a breakthrough in a broken system.

Jehu’s story finds a modern echo in the life of William Wilberforce, a member of the British Parliament in the late 1700s. After a powerful Christian conversion, Wilberforce nearly walked away from politics to devote himself to a quiet life of holiness. But his mentor, John Newton—a former slave trader transformed by grace—urged him to stay and fight injustice from within.

Wilberforce took this seriously. In 1787, he wrote in his journal: “God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.”

Wilberforce’s second great goal, the “reformation of manners,” wasn’t about etiquette or politeness—it referred to the moral and spiritual renewal of society. He longed to see a nation transformed from within: where compassion replaced cruelty, virtue replaced vice, and Christian character shaped both public life and private behavior.

Though he faced fierce opposition for decades, Wilberforce never gave up. In 1807, the British Parliament finally abolished the slave trade. But by any measure, Wilberforce’s “reformation of manners” was a spiritual, cultural, and moral awakening that profoundly shaped British society and Christian activism for generations to come. He, like Jehu, acted with moral clarity and Spirit-led courage when the time was right.

“You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.” — William Wilberforce

God still calls people today to rise at the right time. You may not be asked to dismantle a kingdom or overturn an empire, but perhaps you’re called to stand for justice in your workplace, your community, or even your family. Leadership isn’t about ambition—it’s about obedience. It’s about aligning your gifting, position, and influence with God’s purposes.

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You raise up leaders in every generation. Help us to recognize the time You are calling us to step forward. Give us courage like Jehu and conviction like Wilberforce. May we use our voices and our influence—however great or small—to serve Your purposes and bring about Your justice and renewal.

Restore us, God Almighty; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved (Psalm 80:7). Let Your presence guide us, Your Spirit empower us, and Your love compel us. Amen.