Choosing A Leader.

Leadership is a thing that many people don't really understand. This is one reason many of us don't obey authority and those in leadership positions because that think they are better off and more competent than their leaders. I remember a guy many years who had "the physical" attributes of leadership. He was always trying to be I'm front of every thing and I remember him calling his fiancée that the fellowship wanted to make him the coordinator of a fellowship. When the time came for the leader to be chosen by the outgoing executives, they chose someone else. The guy was disappointed. You don't choose leaders because they speak good English and because they are charismatic and presentable. Leadership goes beyond looks and queen's English.

Some years ago, when my set was to hand over to the next group of executives, it was difficult for me. I was the the leader at this point in time. The two persons leading were great and they were my friends. One was a doctor and the other just a dedicated brother in the fellowship. I was closer to the other guy than the doctor. I was drawn to him the very moment I saw him and two of us bonded easily. I was accused of  favouring the other guy. The doctor was dedicated and more mature and people looked at his attributes and felt he was the one. I got praying about it and one day, I had a revelation of both of them. I saw two sheet of plain paper or clothes. Each of them was standing behind a sheet. I was asked  to light up each sheet with fire. When I did, the doctor's sheet got burnt easily from the top to the bottom within seconds but the other guy's sheet was just burning just slowing at the top of the sheet. I woke up and thought the Doctor was the one who will become the next leader. But when I sort understanding of it, it was revealed to me that the other guy is the new leader and he will last better than off than the doctor.

Many years down the line, the guy has become a Doctor in Romania. He went for his his second degree in medicine. He is also leading a fellowship in Romania. What an Irony? We should not choose leaders because of sentiments and weaknesses of one person and the things we see but we should look and see with the eye of God to choose a leader.

In (1sam9,10), Saul was made the leader of Isreal. He was handsome and taller than all isrealites. But when issues came(Goliath), he shrank. This shows that leadership is beyond looks and stature and status. Also, before Samuel anointed David King,(1sam 16:6-7) he saw Eliab and said this must be the one but God said that he looks at the heart and not the looks.
Also, Leadership is not met for naïve, inexperienced, novice, new converts and followers according to scripture.  1 Tim 3:6 says, He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the condemnation that the devil [once] did. (AMP).
You may say that this is what the bible says and it is not related to our day, offices, schools and countries. You may think that you don't need to seek God concerning who you are to choose to be your leader. The truth is we all need to seek God concerning every thing we do and any decision we want to take because he sees the end from the beginning. He is not a man but God, the creator of the heavens and the earth.

Don't choose your leader based on his past achievements and antecedents. People can change and you will be disappointed. Also don't choose your leader because one had not performed up to your expectation. Don't say you will choose the other person because the other is not good and weak but the other has strength and he had done it before. No man can restore a country or system if he does not have the help of God.

 Isaiah 46:10 NLT says:
Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

Lastly, in Act 6:3-6, when Deacons (leaders) were being chosen, integrity, fear of God,being full of the spirit and wisdom were the yardstick used in choosing the leaders, but today men choose their leaders based on sentiments, party line, lies, bribe, threat, religion, tribe, etc. No wonder we are where we are today.
Integrity goes beyond not being corrupt. While corruption means deviating from the ideal. If you day you have integrity and you try to blackmail others to become a leader, then you have integrity deficiencies. The same sword you use to kick others out will be used against you. Integrity also goes beyond how you conduct yourself at work, office, home, country, abroad, etc. It also involves how you treat others. If you reduce your age, falsify your documents to get a job, position, contract, then you are also corrupt and lack integrity.  
Integrity means: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. It also means the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
It means following your moral or ethical convictions and doing the right thing in all circumstances, even if no one is watching you. Having integrity means you are true to yourself and would do nothing that demeans or dishonors you.

How to have evevy day integrity:

Keep your promises even if it takes extra effort. Go back to a store and pay for something you forgot to pay for. Never betray a friend’s trust even if you get in trouble. Inform the cashier he gave you too much change back. Do not gossip or talking badly about someone. Remain true to your spouse or partner. When in a serious relationship, don’t keep secrets from each other. Return money that you noticed someone dropped without expecting a reward. Ignore someone’s advice on how to cheat on your taxes and not get caught. Do not let someone else take the blame for something you did. If someone gives you confidential information, never tell anyone what you know. When it is obvious to you a relationship is over, don’t drag it out but discuss it openly.

Integrity in the Workplace:

Work when you are supposed to and save socializing, snacking, searching the Internet and personal phone calls for break time. Turn in the extra change you found in the soda or snack vending machine. Show respect to coworkers with appropriate conversation and empathy. If you are in management, keep your employees informed so they will know what is coming and what needs to be done. Adhere to company policies and procedures. Be responsible. Do what you say you will do. Use materials for work and not personal use. If you make a mistake and a team’s project gets messed up or you miss a deadline, own up to your mistake. Don’t let teammates take the fall. Work together as a team. This builds trust and shows integrity. Never steal supplies from the workplace. If you find yourself in a conflict of interest, get out of it as soon as possible. Don’t accept praise of acclaim for someone else’s work. That includes stealing someone’s idea or pretending to have worked on a successful project. When making a business deal, make sure everything is on the table and nothing was left out. If your company asks you to do something against your personal code of conduct, refuse. If it means losing a good paying job, so be it. Find a more ethical company to work for.

Integrity in Quotes:

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.” - W. Clement Stone“
Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.” - Oprah Winfrey.
Perhaps the surest test of an individual's integrity is his refusal to do or say anything that would damage his self-respect.” - Thomas S. Monson.
One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” - Chinua Achebe.
You are in integrity when the life you are living on the outside matches who you are on the inside. - Alan Cohen.

Remember, understanding the actions caused by integrity starts with knowing what is important and holding fast to that idea, even when it is not convenient or to your benefit.

You say people don't have integrity and as a result, you will not vote for them. I would like you to check yourself properly and ask yourself, "Do I have integrity"?

WILSON ILEOGBEN