Humbled in the Assignment: When Leadership Meets Correction
- JFS Lineage
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Hi OUTM Community, this post is in real time, Hot Off the Press and I feel so GOOD!!!
There is a unique kind of stretching that happens when you are in leadership. It’s not just about guiding others—it’s about constantly being refined yourself.
Over the past couple of weeks, I found myself wrestling with disappointment. I had a speaking engagement that, in my opinion, I completely bombed. Not slightly missed the mark… I mean missed it. And what made it more frustrating was this: I knew the material. Not only did I understand it, but I also helped shape the direction of the presentation. I guided the team into something that was organized, impactful, and presentable—something I was genuinely proud of.
Because of that pride, I wanted to present it myself.
And I did.
But it did not go well.
Afterward, I kept replaying the moment in my mind. How did this happen? I questioned myself over and over. Then I took it to God.
“Lord… what happened?”
What He revealed to me wasn’t about my ability—it was about my obedience.
During a moment of quiet meditation, a missing piece came back to me so clearly it almost stopped me in my tracks. I remembered an email from leadership. In that email, it was clearly stated that someone else was assigned to present.
I was not supposed to present.
I had completely overlooked it… or maybe, if I’m honest, I overrode it.
In that moment, everything made sense.
I stepped outside of the instructions I was given. I allowed pride... subtle, quiet, but present and a lack of humility to take the lead. And because of that, God was not in that with me! He was not in what I chose to do.
That realization hit deep!
But right there, in that moment, something beautiful happened too.
I had an “aha” moment.I repented immediately.And I thanked God just as quickly.
Because what I experienced wasn’t punishment—it was loving correction.
The kind that only comes from a Father who cares enough to redirect you before you go too far off course.
Confirmation Through Community
As if that wasn’t enough, God sent confirmation.
This morning, in a group text, one of my beloved sisters shared our daily devotion. And it read:
“Never do anything to be noticed or appreciated; self-interest and seeking approval is not a good look for you. Set your sights higher and come up in the Spirit to do all that I have called you to do—those things are pleasing to Me,” says the Lord. “Life is not a contest to prove that you can outdo others. Humility is the order of the day.”— James 4:10
GOD is so AH-MAAAZZZIINGGG! and RIGHT ON TIME!!
When I read that, it settled everything in my spirit.
Because if I’m honest, a part of me did want to present what I helped build. I wanted to see it come forth through me. I wanted to steward it well—but somewhere in that desire, self crept in.
Not loudly.Not obviously.But enough.
And God, in His love, addressed it.
The Lesson
Being gifted, prepared, and capable does not give us permission to move outside of alignment.
God honors obedience over performance.
And humility will always keep us in position, even when our emotions try to convince us otherwise.
Leadership does not exempt us from submission.It requires it.
Sometimes what looks like failure is actually protection.
Sometimes what feels like embarrassment is actually instruction.
And sometimes what we call a “bad moment” is really God saying,
“Come back into alignment with Me.”
Walking It Out
I was also reminded of something powerful from our Covenant of Grace lesson that the Queens shared last week. There was a moment where we were instructed to pause and apologize to anyone we may have wronged.
At the time, I couldn’t think of anyone.
But this morning, I could.
So I did.
I apologized.
And in doing so, I felt a release that only obedience can bring.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in a season where you feel like you missed it, pause before you condemn yourself.
Ask God what He’s revealing.
Because there may be a lesson hidden in what felt like a loss.
For me, that lesson was clear:
Stay humble.Stay submitted.Stay aligned.
Even in leadership.
Especially in leadership.
PRAISE & WORSHIP!
BE Encouraged
This was beautiful and such a timely word. We all find ourselves in positions of leadership whether formal or informal, and this is a good reminder to stay humble and obedient to the One who made you a leader in the first place.