Leadership is so much more than just a position, it is an issue that comes from deep within who we are. The question that we may ask ourselves is, "Can I become a Leader?"
The answer is absolutely YES!
Take a look at the men that Jesus chose to become leaders; Peter, Matthew, John, Judas, etc... He chose men and women that we would have bypassed. He chose men that we would of never wanted to be a part of what God has called us to; maybe someday but not today. They may have potential but...they are not the big name, they do not have enough experience.
I wonder why we try to chose people according to popularity, or what they can do for us, or based on who they know. I am amazed at how far you can go in the kingdom just because of who you know. It seems as if "calling" is secondary to what we want or where we want to go.
If you want to be an effective leader in whatever facet of life you live be FAITHFUL. Be faithful with the little things, be faithful in what seems trivial, meaningless, worthless, be faithful when everyone else throws in the towel and quits because they are not receiving the "glory".
Matthew 25 speaks to this fact, "You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
We should never allow ourselves to get into the "entitled" mentality. You know what I mean, I have a position, so now I no longer have to get dirty, everyone else does that kind of work, but not me. Jesus was with the people in the trenches, in the stench, in the middle of brokenness; FAITHFULLY!
So that to say, Leadership in part is about the willingness to lay down our rights, our broken mentalities, and to serve faithfully wherever God has allowed us to serve.
God Bless
Merry Christmas!!!
"Leadership in part is about the willingness to lay down our rights, our broken mentalities, and to serve faithfully wherever God has allowed us to serve." ~ well said & so true! thanks Pastor Jay!
ReplyDeleteLuk 17:7-9 "When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, he doesn't just sit down and eat. He must first prepare his master's meal and serve him his supper before eating his own. And the servant is not even thanked, because he is merely doing what he is supposed to do."
ReplyDeleteI love this because it puts life into perspective. Should we serve less if it is a tiresome, thankless job? We should always serve with joy knowing that it is God whom we serve. To serve faithfully is to serve fervently, regardless of feeling,or preconceived outcomes. God has called us all to places where there is no glory in it for us. A place where we have to just be content in knowing we are doing what he has called us to do. To just be faithful... great stuff Pastor J it gives me a lot to think about
Great stuff! I recently started reading "A Leader in the Making" by Joyce Meyer. What a great book so far. It starts off almost in parallel with what Pastor Jay is talking about. Developing your potential. All leaders require development. Nobody starts at the finish line. Everyone has the potential to lead, some may have skills that come easier then others, but that does not matter with God. God can use anyone he wants. And just like Pastor said, he usually uses the people that we would overlook. Why, because he sees the potential in everyone. What would you do if you had the ability to look at people and see their future potential instead of their current state. This is the way God sees us and the way we should see everyone! Easy to say, hard to do!
ReplyDeleteOne way to look at it is.....
ReplyDeleteThere are 2 ways that christians attain leadership roles within "the church".
1) self-propulsion/promotion.....and 2)the Holy Spirit raising them up.
People can go far in "the church" based on who they know.....
That's because "the world" is in the church. And we know who the god of "the world" is and as 2 Corinthians says....we are not ignorant to his schemes.
worldly principle/scheme...."It's not what you know, it's who you know"
"The Kingdom's" Truth on the other hand is...Heavenly Father place me or lead me to where You want me(our position/calling).
Can you be a leader?...of course!!
But what does our Heavenly Father want you to do?
Do you think our Heavenly Father is whispering a call to lead? Praise God!!! Take one faith step at a time and let the Holy Spirit raise you up.
I've always liked this quote by Martin Luther King. I believe it speaks Kingdom Truth about callings and that nobody is greater than or less than in the Kingdom....
“If a man 'is called' to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”