Follow the Leader

Remember the game Follow the Leader? The Leader was the one who calling all the shots, and had a bunch of kids trailing behind.  If the leader was a good one there would be tons of kids from the neighborhood trailing behind, and if not, there would be one or two stragglers that would hang in there.

Interesting isn’t it that when you hear the word ‘leadership’ it may make you think of one who calls all the shots, and is out in front.  True, those in leadership do make decisions and leaders are on the frontlines so to speak, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they position themselves out at the front of the line.

Real leadership looks like empowering people rather than people in power.  Real true leadership is birthed by compassion for people.  Compassion is a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress partnered with a heartfelt desire to alleviate that distress, to actually suffer with, or bear the burden…with patience. That compassion is also marked by humility, purity, transparency and a vested interest.  Humility is simply considering others first, not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought. Purity is a lack of guilt and evil thoughts. This is something only obtained by the saturation of the Holy Spirit.  …this instruction can be found in 1st Peter where it reads, ” Do not be drunk with wine which is dissipation, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Transparency is also part of the role.  I love the picture that the definition that Merriam Webster’s Dictionary provides:”viewed by the light shining through it, or by projection.”

Just as “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 Our vested interest comes from the recognition that we are no different from the people we serve.  That before Christ showed us, and opened our eyes to the wretchedness of our nature, and we received His Salvation, and He clothed with us His righteousness, we were dead in our sins…For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Our investment in others is part of our celebration and gratitude and love for the One who brought us from complete death, darkness and destruction into His glorious light. Christ empowers us so we can empower others.

We are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live, yet not us, but Christ lives in us, and the life we now live in the flesh, we live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave His life for us.

We screw up leadership with our own corruption (sin), inequality (false humility/pride), and apathy.  We come to tipping points in our walk with Christ where growth should happen, yet these things keep us in a place of complacency; where we do nothing about it and remain unchanged, without growth.

When we are led by Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, there is a momentum that occurs, where not only does our walk with Christ grow stronger, but also does the relationships with the people we serve and their relationship with Him.

Like in Follow the Leader, many will want to follow Him because they are challenged, encouraged and empowered.  Those that do not desire growth, or are not ready for it may quit.

We must recognize that in order for growth to happen in us and others, there will some jeopardy.  The closer we get to the tipping point/change, the harder it will be for our flesh.  Momentum happens when all involved maintain a practice of humility, purity, transparency, and vested interest in others. 

Christ has never given up on us, He is the Leader.  Surely goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our lives.  We must ask ourselves, if people are quitting, have we given up on them?  Have we forgotten our first love? Does compassion and agape love rule our hearts? Is the Holy Spirit leading us?  For true leadership does not exalt us, but empowers, strengthens, clothes, encourages and points others to Him. He is exalted.  He is the The Leader.

 

 

….For if this plan or this work is of men it will come to nothing, but if it is of God- you cannot overthrow it lest you be found to fight against God. Acts 5:38-39