“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you”
Psalm 32:8
I remember when I was younger, repeatedly being looked at by my parents, friends’ parents, teachers, brownie leaders etc and being told “I’ve got my eye on you”!
As a mischievous, chatty and influential young girl I was repeatedly ‘being watched’ in more of a critical way rather than an affirming way. Some of that was arguably needed!
When I think of this present moment and all the leadership pressure that is on many of us, I’m encouraged by Psalm 32 and how it reminds us that God has His loving eye – not critical eye – on us as His leaders.
When this season seems to be demanding that we need more wisdom, discernment and stickability than ever before, it’s great to know that God’s instruction, teaching, counsel and eye is on us!
What do this mean for us? Let me draw out two points…
1. It’s comforting to know that we are being watched
God has not abandoned us in this moment! He is mindful of us. Genesis 28:15 reminds us “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” God knows the strains and struggles we have as leaders in this moment and as a Good Shepherd He will watch over us in these days. Let’s be encouraged today that God “sees” us.
2. It’s challenging to know that we are being watched
As leaders we need to be held accountable. Although God isn’t watching us in a controlling or critical way, He does desire for us to hold our lives and leadership roles and responsibilities well.
He is watching our lives and that why we lead with love! This should comfort us, but also challenge us to lead from a place of integrity.
2 Chronicles 16:9 reminds us “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”. Let’s commit to lean into the instruction and counsel that God really wants to offer us and let’s be mindful that God is watching. Let’s give God permission to “see” if there is any offensive way in us and lead us to the everlasting way (Psalm 139:24).
We are going to get things wrong in this season, fact. But let’s remember God truly ‘sees’ us, ‘knows’ us, ‘loves’ us and is with us.
We can’t do life without Him. We can’t do leadership without Him and we can’t do lockdown without Him! let’s let him lovingly watch us!
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Amy Summerfield
Amy Summerfield is CEO of Kyria, a leadership network to champion empower and release women into their spheres of influence (kyrianetwork.com), and Head of Development at Skylark International, a network of churches, charities and organisations. From 2015-2020 Amy was senior pastor of Connect Church, Paisley, Scotland. Amy is the co-founder of Pulse Children’s and Youth Ministries. She is a regular conference speaker for women's and leadership conferences. Recently married, Amy moved to live in Hitchin with her husband Matt who leads Zeo Church. She enjoys cooking, baking, dog walking and tea drinking! When not travelling for ministry, she loves spending time in Derbyshire where she grew up.
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