Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭5‬
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Earthly leaders are one of the primary tools God uses to mold us into his image. And when we push against them, we subvert God’s plan.

In the church, leaders are to overwatch those underneath them. As those under their leadership, we can either make their jobs difficult or pleasant. God holds leaders to a higher standard in their responsibility to shepherd the flock of Christ. They already are held accountable. So let’s trust them and follow them as they follow God.

As I look back over my life, the times when I pushed back against the leadership over me mostly resulted in me not representing Jesus Christ very well. But the times I decided to bear up underneath the leadership I didn’t agree with, I learned many things: I learned how to be patient and wait on the Lord. I learned how to sacrifice my rights, my wants, and my will, and trust God with the leader he placed over me. And I learned that my expectations of my leaders need to be in line with God‘s will.

God wants me to be a witness to my leaders, and to love and encourage them. I’m supposed to join them in their work and make their lives easier. Sometimes, if I am just patient enough, things come full circle and the causes I wanted so badly to see happen, happen in God’s time.

Lord, thank you for this passage on submitting to leadership and being a blessing to our leaders. This is so important as we live out our Christian life. Help me to be humble and patient. And teach me to trust you with the leaders you put over me.