The King Leader: Having the Power to Do What’s Right

Reflection #004

When you hear the word “king,” it’s easy to picture crowns, thrones, and power—distant authority, not everyday life. But in Scripture, kingship wasn’t about status; it was about stewardship. A king was entrusted, not entitled—responsible for justice, protection, and the flourishing of his people. And whether you lead a team, a family, a ministry, or even just your own decisions—you wear a kind of crown too. Leadership is never just about influence; it’s about accountability.

But kingship is heavy. There’s a loneliness to being responsible for others—making decisions that affect more than just you. You feel the weight of expectations, the pressure to stay strong, the fear of letting people down. I’ve felt it too. And yet, the call of a godly king is not to carry that crown in pride, but in humility—remembering, as the Psalms remind us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). You and I don’t own what we lead—we steward it.

I once heard the philosopher Dallas Willard say, “A leader is someone who makes sure the thing that needs to be done actually gets done.” That’s kingship in practice. Not glamorous. Not always noticed. But deeply faithful. It means showing up when it’s inconvenient. It means making decisions based not on what is popular, but on what is right. It means protecting people, even if they never know you did.

But here’s the danger: every king is tempted to believe the kingdom exists for them. Power always whispers, “You earned this. You deserve this.” That’s why the greatest kings in Scripture weren’t the strongest—they were the most surrendered. David failed gravely, but he repented deeply. Solomon gained wisdom, but lost his heart. And Jesus—the true King—wore a crown of thorns before He ever claimed a throne.

Which is why the greatest act of kingship isn’t domination—it’s service. That’s where your power resides. Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). That changes everything. In His kingdom, authority and humility are not opposites—they belong together. To lead like a king in the way of Christ is to wash feet, carry crosses, and seek the good of others before the glory of self.

So if you carry influence—large or small—don’t despise it, and don’t idolize it. Steward the power entrusted to you. Pray over it. Hold it with open hands. Because leadership is not about climbing a throne; it’s about kneeling beside the people God has entrusted to you. And perhaps the truest crown you and I can ever wear is this: faithfulness.