Are you a leader?
Wait, before you say no – are you a parent? a teacher? or even a consistent volunteer in your church? You don’t have to be a CEO of a major company to be a leader! Chances are you are doing something which requires others to follow your lead, and therefore, you are a leader!
A few weeks ago I signed up to take part in the John Maxwell International Leadership Training & Certification program. I want to grow my leadership skills so that in a few years I can help others like me to grow as well. Right now, I am just a mom, a wife, a small group leader, co-leader of a missions team, a prayer warrior, a writer, and a speaker. And when I wear any of those caps, I am influencing someone (something I recently came to realize in a big way).
John Maxwell states leadership is influence: nothing more, nothing less.
Now, when you put it that way, it is easy to see how even someone in an ordinary, everyday position can be a leader!
But as a leader, there is one person we must be sure to follow and that is God!
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. Romans 13:1 AMP
No matter our position, we must continuously remind ourselves on whose authority we are ultimately working under. In addition, we must be humble leaders and not proud, boastful people. How do we treat those we might see as our followers? If we are Christian leaders, we should be following the teachings of Jesus.
Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Luke 6:31 AMP
But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…” Matthew 20:25-26 NLT
Yep, if we want to be the leaders Jesus called us to be, we must be the ultimate friend and servant.
Today, take into account those you look up to as leaders. Do they possess these qualities? Do you? One thing is for certain, all of us are works in progress, so if you feel you fall short, keep working at it!
I am excited for the days ahead and for all that I will learn. Learning is growing forward! Will you join me?
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.