Being an agent for good isn’t difficult. Every human on this planet has the ability to do good to his or her fellow human. A smile. A warm meal. A kind word. Many, many people contribute to the well-being of their neighbors each day through large and small selfless acts of kindness. By their good works they influence others.
Leadership is influencing others.
If what you do, say, or how you live influences others… you’re leading. You are a leader.
- Do your children watch and imitate what you do? You are leading.
- Do your co-workers ask for your opinion and adopt it for their own? You are leading.
- Do you and your spouse do good works together and impact others? You’re both leading.
However….You can’t lead like Jesus without honoring God.
Leading or leading like Jesus? There’s an important difference.
Recently, we read a post on Facebook by a young man relating his experience of visiting the elderly in a nursing home, after going through some hard times himself. Visiting these older people was a satisfying experience. This man was doing a noble work. He touched the lives of many in a positive way – those in the nursing home, the elderly and caregivers alike, plus all those who read his post. This man was leading by his example.
Where did the inspiration to visit the elderly come from?
As this man openly acknowledged, he first learned how to do this when, as a young boy, he accompanied his father. His father was a minister who visited the elderly in nursing homes, praying with them and speaking to them about Jesus, and the love of God.
However…. embedded within his post, he included the following statement, “…now I was doing what my dad did, but without the prayer…”
Can you truly lead like Jesus without prayer? Without directing souls to God, who is our source of all love, life, and eternal hope?
Consider Jesus’ prayer over those who followed Him, just before He went into the final days of His work on earth.
“I have made You known to them, and will continue to make You known in order that the love You have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:26
Jesus always did everything in oneness with God.
“I in them and You in me.” John 17:20-23
(We encourage you to read all of John 17 – as we believe it’s one of the most beautiful and intimate examples of leadership… ever.)
Making God Known
Leading like Jesus is not about you.
Again, it’s not about you. It’s never been about you or what you can do, be or say.
Consider all the ways that Jesus - who continues to influence us today through His leadership – refused to seek glory for Himself. He always – in every instance – gave the honor to His Father. To God.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. Mark 10:18
God is necessary. In everything.
How you seek and honor God – within, above, and in any positive actions you may do – should always show how you are leading like Jesus.
- Lead like Jesus – spend time in solitude, seek to connect with your Father in heaven. (Luke 6:12)
- Lead like Jesus – seek oneness and unity with God the Father. (John 17:20-24)
- Lead like Jesus – tell others about God’s amazing love. (John 3:16)
- Lead like Jesus – pray with others, to the Father above. (all of John Chapter 20)
- Lead like Jesus – point the way to the Father and the place He is preparing. (John 14:1-4)
Challenge
In this next week -- how can you lead like Jesus, glorifying God, as you continue to contribute acts of kindness to your neighbor?
Let your works have a greater and lasting impact by always glorifying God. Lead like Jesus.
By Robert and Lori Ferguson
