“By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.”
—1 Corinthians 15:10
When Paul wrote this, he wasn’t boasting in accomplishments—he was testifying to transformation. Grace didn’t make him passive—it made him powerful. But his identity was rooted in God’s grace, not in outcomes. Paul also mentions that God’s grace is sufficient. We tend to argue and put up road blocks to God’s grace. It’s almost too good to be true. We can be skeptical, even try to reinterpret God’s grace by our own standards quietly thinking we can easily slide into the God-shaped seat of leadership.
Leadership in a performance-based culture often rewards hustle over wholeness. But God’s Kingdom leadership is different. You don’t lead to earn love—you lead because you are already loved.
Your authority flows from identity.
Your fruit flows from abiding.
Your power flows from your position as a beloved child of God.
Grace rewrites the inner script that says:
“I have to earn this.”
“If I fail, I’m finished.”
“I’m only as valuable as my latest success.”
Instead, grace whispers: “You are mine. You already belong. Now go lead like it.”
Closing Thought: You Are Already In
You are already claimed as God’s child. Already loved. Already seen.
The world may measure you by potential and results.
God measures you by relationship.
When we live and lead as if we are still auditioning for God’s love, we burn out. But when we lead as beloved children, we lead from trust, security, and holy confidence.
You are not your numbers.
You are not your job title.
You are not your productivity.
You are a child of God.
Just like Taylor—you can stop defending your worth. You’re already in.
Where We Find Our Validation as Leaders
Every leader longs to know they’re on the right track. That longing often takes the form of seeking validation—confirmatio
Validation isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s crucial for growth. A well-timed word of encouragement can keep a leader moving forward through exhaustion or doubt. The problem comes when we confuse where and from whom we seek validation.
If God has designed a course for you—and He has—your leadership thrives when your validation aligns with His Kingdom purposes. But if you start looking in the wrong places, you risk drifting off course.
Let’s look at three common sources of validation every leader encounters.
1. Culture: The Loudest Voice
Our world validates leaders based on visibility, achievement, and comparison.
Culture says, “You matter if you’re impressive.” It measures worth in likes, followers, promotions, and awards.
The Apostle John warns against being driven by this kind of affirmation:
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” (1 John 2:16)
If you rely solely on culture for validation, your leadership becomes reactive—always chasing trends instead of following God’s calling.
2. Family: The Deepest Roots
Many leaders are shaped by an unspoken (or spoken) desire to make their parents proud. This can be incredibly positive when our parents nurture our calling, cheer us on, and point us toward God’s purposes.
But it can also become a heavy weight if we feel we’re constantly trying to earn their approval—or if we’re working to prove them wrong. Either way, our decisions can start orbiting around what they think, rather than what God says.
Paul reminds us of the deeper motivation:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)
When family validation aligns with God’s validation, it can be a powerful force. But when it doesn’t, we must gently, prayerfully let God’s voice become louder.
3. God: The Steadiest Foundation
Only God’s validation is perfectly pure. He sees the whole picture—your motives, your struggles, your faithfulness in both the spotlight and the shadows.
God’s validation isn’t based on your performance, but on your identity in Christ and your obedience to His call.
Fabian’s Story
Fabian had always thought validation meant having the kind of job culture applauds—a high salary, a prestigious title, and visible success. But instead, he worked for a small non-profit that served teens caught between the pull of the drug culture and a Christian after-school program supported by donors.
While he believed in the mission, doubts crept in. Was this really benefiting the Kingdom? Were kids’ lives truly being changed? Or should he go find what he called a “real job”?
One quiet Tuesday morning, as Fabian prepared the room for the afternoon’s teen session, he prayed halfheartedly for the day ahead. In that stillness, God’s presence filled the room—not with fanfare, but with a quiet weight. And in the still, small voice of the Spirit, Fabian heard words that echoed the Father’s declaration over Jesus at His baptism:
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
No donors were in the room. No teenagers had yet arrived. There was no applause, no headline. Yet Fabian knew: God’s validation was more secure than anything culture could offer. He was right where God wanted him.
The Leader’s Choice
Validation is vital—it can fuel growth, perseverance, and courage. But the source matters.
When you know where your truest validation comes from, you can lead with freedom. You can celebrate the affirmation culture and family bring without becoming enslaved to it. Most importantly, you can keep your feet on the path God has designed for you—because His “Well done” is the one that lasts.
