Jesus is the greatest example of a king whose heart is not to exalt Himself but to lay down His love for others. Yet, Christ-like leadership is not devoid of self-respect and honor. Living a defeated life is not a Christlike life.

What good would it be if David confronted Goliath on the battlefield, only to lay down his life instead of defeating him? A true Christ-like leader wins battles on behalf of those who cannot. We enter the battle to WIN!

Becoming skilled is not contradictory to being anointed. Being called and anointed is not enough—without skill, you may never occupy the seat prepared for you. 

David was skilled in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and the LORD was with him (1 Samuel 16:18 )

What was the point of David learning an instrument? That which seemed skilled but unnecessary for his calling was the area that first got access to his calling.

Function in the area of your development! God uses the area that you are skilled in. 

Availability alone is not enough for God to use you—you must become a well-developed vessel. If your revelation is mediocre, you function in mediocrity.

The skill you are willing to develop is the skill that can be anointed. The anointing flows into every area you are willing to develop. 

Joseph’s gift was interpreting dreams, but along the way, from his father’s house to the palace, he developed into a skilled strategist who brought solutions.

The gift of a man makes room for him, but the oil brings solutions to more than what he was invited for. You need both.

You know you are developed when you find yourself in the company of kings.