Gtcotr/ws071713
There
is a difference between leadership and influence. Leaders have influence but so
do others. True leadership requires a heart for those following, passion,
conviction, a sense of direction and most of all true leadership requires the
right perspective. Leadership is more than merely occupying a position at the
front of a parade.
Key Scripture: Matthew 23:11 “But he
who is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
Two
years ago my niece and I were driving back home from Austin Texas. US Highway
290 towards Houston is a 4 lane highway allowing for better travel than some 2
lane alternatives. At that time the speed limit along a certain portion was 70
mph for several miles through the beautiful countryside, up and down hills and
around long curves. Although it is a fairly accommodating highway, that day we
found ourselves approaching what appeared to be a long line of cars driving 15
to 20 mph below the speed limit stacking up in both lanes.
We
slowed down and moved into the passing lane but gained no ground. Soon there
were cars lining up behind us moving from one lane to the other trying to find
some small advantage and get around us at any opportunity. This went on for
miles and miles. It can be quite dangerous.
Topping
the hills and looking into the distant curves I could see the problem way
ahead. There were two cars, one in each lane, both driving along together about
the same speed, which was 15 to 20 mph below the posted limit, each refusing to
get out of their comfort zone and connect with the fact that they were causing
trouble behind them.
Rather
than getting frustrated I decided to discuss this situation with my niece and
attempt to discover some principles of truth. Since we were in this situation
we might as well learn something we could later apply to life. If I had have
known it was going to be such a long lesson I might have stopped and gotten
something to drink before continuing the class.
One
of the principles Teena and I discovered and confirmed that day was the fact
that just because a person is up in front, going somewhere with people behind
them following in the same direction at the same pace, does not automatically
make them a leader - instead, they might be a roadblock.
True
leadership is more than occupying a position, having a title or being out in
front influencing others. Leadership requires a connection, a care and a
concern for those following along behind. Leadership is more than just going
somewhere, it is first and foremost helping others get where they need to go. It’s
difficult to lead when you don’t respect the rules.
Leadership
says, “Come go with me; do what I do; get what I get; end up where I end up;
let’s go together and I’ll help you get there.” Unless everyone gets what the
leader gets, it’s not true leadership but rather manipulation designed to
achieve some selfish ambition or personal goal of the leader. There is a
difference between helping others reach God’s goals for their life and using
others to get what we want. And, just because we have influence with people
does not mean we show up on God’s list of approved leaders. Leaders should have influence but not everyone who has influence
should be leading.
And
by the way, God called, God ordained and God approved leaders don’t just
influence others, they have influence with God as well. Nonetheless, each Born Again
Believer has a God-given responsibility to influence other individuals and lead
them to Christ.
How
can we fulfill our God-given leadership responsibilities at home, at work, at
school, in the community and at Church? To better understand God’s perspective
on leadership let’s read a passage of scripture that describes the mindset of a
true leader.
Philippians 2
5 Let this mind be in you
which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of
God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no
reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness
of men.
8 And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of
death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has
highly exalted Him …
There
are two things God seems to value in leadership above all else:
·
Humility
(Verses pride or a sense of entitlement)
·
Obedience
(Instead of self will, personal ambition or sacrifice)
A
leader must value obedience not only in others but first in themselves. We
cannot ask from others what we are unwilling to give first. Perhaps one reason
why some parents, bosses, preachers, teachers and politicians have trouble
getting people to obey is because they won’t.
It
is essential that we learn to humble ourselves and obey. First we obey God and
then we obey those whom God has set over us. In order to best influence others
to follow Christ we must present ourselves as humble servants without a
personal agenda and willing to follow our leader. That’s right, even true
leaders must obey – especially true leaders must obey.
A servant without a master may do no harm but a leader who has no
master may destroy the world.
While
the world looks for a leader to make a way God chooses a servant who simply
follows the way. According to the scriptures leadership is based on service to
others. And, a leader who will not obey God and serve his followers is no
leader God will support.
Important Points
1.
One is not a leader simply because others are following.
2.
Leadership is more than influence.
3.
Whoever desires to be great must obey God and serve others.
4.
God exalts true humility.
5.
We are responsible to lead others to be like Christ.
Supporting
Scriptures
Matthew 20:27; Matthew 25:21; Hebrews
13:7&17; Luke 9:46
