Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Leadership (03/14/05)
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TITLE: Just a little Musing | Previous Challenge Entry
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03/18/05 -
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The secular world tells us Leadership is mostly a tool by which we must acquire within ourselves, abusing the adage ‘Leaders are made, not born.’ It is a collection of skills which can be used to achieve our goals, whereby we can interact effectively with people. A person with good leadership skills is able to impose his/her will on others in order to attain a certain target. In other words, leadership precedes manipulation.
That is so sad and does not do justice to the magnitude of the word ‘leadership’ at all. For in the Bible, we are told that leadership is not a self-serving tool but a holy attribute from God.
If only Christians will open their eyes and ears to the Word and their hearts to the Holy Spirit, we will find a whole new dimension to leadership, apart from the selfish definition the world gives us.
What is a God-made leader? What does it mean to be a God-made leader? The Bible gives us ample examples. Moses, Joshua King David, Elisha, all of whom have been mightily used by God to lead His people. A look at their lives shows that they are but servants of God, and is so referred to by the Bible.
A leader is a servant? He who leads must first be led? What a stark contrast!
The world is right in at least one thing. Leadership is general calling of God. Man, however fallen, is still able to exercise godly leadership to a certain degree; a loving father leading his family for example. Yet he must surrender this quality to God to be honed for His service. To ignore the call of leadership is tantamount to ignore His call to service.
Let us step away from ourselves and gaze for a moment at Divine Leadership as revealed by His Word. We serve a God who leads his people mightily out of Egypt, by cloud and fire. He gave them the Law and led them from oppressors time and time again. And how was the culmination of His demonstration of leadership? It that cold upper room, He was on his knees, washing His disciples’ feet!
We ought also to differentiate between leadership and authority. Leadership is a quality by which we shine at and for others from within ourselves. Authority is a bestowment others shine upon us. One is a gift, the other; a responsibility. The one who miss this fragile equilibrium is at danger of over-emphasizing either one, jeopardizing the dynamics of effective relationship.
We can do nothing, including leading, apart from Christ. Therefore, the authority bestowed upon us by followers is actually from God. We now draw lessons from the Leader of the church, the apostle Paul, who penned:
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philipians 4:13 KJV
And then from one greater than he:
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29 KJV
And finally;
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
O how comforting to know we have a Leader who loves us says such things, and accomplish them! Revelation 7:17 KJV
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Keep on musing and I'll keep on reading!