Jonathan

I've been reading the book, courageous leadership by Bill Hybels.
Whether you're interested in leadership, have just started in a leadership position or have been leading for years, I highly recommend this book. It's one of those books that has the nack of sitting on a bookshelf without being read, so I decided to take the plunge and commit to reading it!

The chapter I read last night was entitled: A leaders prayer.
It was based on a prayer that Hybels prayed whilst wanting God to further His leadership. He prayed a series of prayers based on characters of the bible.

God, give me the optimism of David, the courage of Esther, the wisdom of solomon etc....
The one that stuck out to me was about Jonathan. Not just because its a great name!!
God give me Jonathans capactity to love!

Jonathan was the son of Saul, therefore the heir to the throne of Israel, but when Saul disobeyed God by failing to plunder everything of the Amalekites it was not Jonathan who was anointed to lead the nation, but David. In a situation where many of us may have been jealous, and even angry; Jonathan loved. He loved his competition - he loved David.
Even though David was anointed, Saul stayed in power. In theory Jonathan could have ascended to the throne, but he realised that Gods ways were higher than his, and instead of choosing worldly ambition, he chose love!

God give me Jonathans capacity to love!!