2006-06-02 - Follow the Follower

Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. ²⁶ But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. ²⁸ For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." (NIV)

I was driving to church recently, when I caught sight of something that alarmed me. I saw an adult woman "leading" a toddler in their front yard, which fronts a busy highway. The problem? She was leading from in front of the child, where she couldn't see if something happened to it. If a predator snatched that child, she might not know till it was too late. Side note: Okay I know most people wouldn't think anything about that. But I work in the Justice System, and I admit I have always thought like a police officer, long before I started working around them four years ago. So do be careful!

But I though that was a good analogy for leadership in the church or the work world - or even in families. We who have been entrusted with leadership shouldn't go off into our own little world or agenda; we should lead by walking side by side or behind those who "follow" us. We should lead as Christ taught us, as a servant. He instructed us not to "lord it over" those we lead.

And we shouldn't lead blindly. We need to be informed leaders, studying what God's word has to say about a subject, as well as consulting trusted experts when needed. We should do research and evaluation before making decisions - and lead with accountability. That's called good stewardship.

I encourage all of us who have been given the gift of leadership to use it wisely.

Comments or Questions,
Jan

cfdevjan@aol.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org