Stephen was the leader I want to be. Not because he was an eloquent spokesman or because he had a large following, but because he was willing to be humble and obedient to the greatest leader of all time, Jesus! If we want to lead, we must learn how to obey God, whether or not his plan abides by our agenda.

It’s not easy to obey when you don’t feel it (when you’re not in your pocket). But I’ve found there’s an inexplainable strength found when I shift my focus from what I’m doing, to who I’m loving. Obedience flows from a desire to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. There is power in the pocket, because God honors a man or woman who obeys out of love, even when she or he isn’t feeling it