Taking It to Work:
Being a leader is very highly esteemed in our culture. The more people the leader controls, the greater amount of wealth that’s controlled, the more the leader is lifted into the limelight, and the greater the world’s admiration. You may secretly wish for such a position one day, and may work for it all your days, but it should be noted, Jesus was and wants a different kind of leader than we see hailed on social media.
He wants a leader who is a dedicated follower of Him first, who listens for His voice and direction, and then obeys because he trusts in Him fully. He is also looking for a leader who serves and puts others before self, even when they don’t have to, and it is easy not to.
If you run through the cadre of leaders in the limelight today, very few, if any, fit that description. Even among some high-profile Christian leaders, we find out that sometimes they don’t fit the high calling of Jesus either. It seems it one of the hardest balances in life for any leader, is to have power, wealth and prestige without losing what would make he or she a true leader in God’s eyes.
If you are a leader in the workplace, or aspire to be one. Learn first to follow well. To be humble before God, to spend time daily listening to His voice, and following His lead, even into places and situations that you don’t really want to go. As you are doing this, you allow Him to make you not only ready to be a true Biblical leader, but one prepared to stay that way, even under the weight of wealth, recognition and power over others. Follow and emulate the one Man who accomplished it perfectly, and let His Word work in you, today.
Phil 2:3-4 (ESV) – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
James 4:10 (ESV) – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Heb 13:7 (ESV) – Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Ps 143:8 (ESV) – Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
Great is he who follows. The lead is praiseworthy only when following He who calls true leaders. I call you, but to lead, you must follow – your life fully given, as My life for yours. When I walked the earth, the lofty leaders crumbled as I followed the will of My Father. I led with authority when I followed with humility. You have My Spirit, and now My Father is your own. Follow where you are called. Obey what you are commanded. Do not lead yourself, lost in blindness and pride. You know not where the road leads. Easy the way appears, but a façade to a lost city built of lost souls. Follow not your own knowledge, but test everything against My Word. Pray earnestly for My Spirit to be heard, and follow where I send you. Plan not your way without the will of He who has created you for a better way. Learn to follow Me, and in My great glory, you will find that others will gladly follow.
