In case you have not noticed, it is election year (smile). The United States has the world talking about something important, LEADERSHIP.
LEADERSHIP is a big word, not because it has ten letters, but because it is weighty.
Although a certain position may require its holder to have authority over others, leadership is much more than a held position or title. Leadership requires wisdom to first lead one’s self, then bring others along for the journey. Leadership is influence and one of the most influential leaders ever to live is Jesus Christ.
Pause on that for a moment.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught us about leadership.
A leader has a mission to move from where they are to a desired destination, the fulfillment of their vision. That leader is taking himself or herself to that place and influencing others to come along with them.
Jesus knew His mission. His journey on this earth was to reveal the love of God for all people by sacrificing Himself to be the Savior of all mankind.
Jesus fulfilled His mission in steps.
Jesus first left the comfort of His home, the familiar. Along His journey He selected twelve people He would mentor and become His inner circle. He revealed His identity as the Son of God, the Messiah. His twelve disciples followed their leader and learned from Him, gleaning knowledge, wisdom, and understanding about Jesus and His teachings. They took everything they learned back to their respective communities and began to influence others to follow them in the pursuit of being like Jesus.
If we are to influence others to come along with us, like Jesus, we first must have a vision or destination in mind. Knowing where we are going, we use our past experiences–positive and negative–as lessons for moving into our destiny. In this, we must take the lessons and leave the rest because we cannot move forward while hanging on to what was or where we are.
Next, we must choose our comrades wisely. Selecting whom to bring along this journey includes only those who desire to join forces with us and go all the way to the fulfillment of the mission.
Seeking knowledge, wisdom and understanding from the Lord is essential. Leaders must ask, “What kind of influence do I have?” “Am I influencing people in a positive way?” “Am I leading them to a positive result?”Selecting our path requires wisdom in order to influence and lead others in the right direction. So while they are walking with us toward our success, we are leading them on a path enabling them to achieve their own success.
Jesus spoke to His disciples in a way that would give them true understanding. Our words disclose what is in our heart, revealing what influences us. Leaders feed themselves on what will build up and encourage themselves and others in the work they want to accomplish. We need to be keenly aware of what we feed our souls through our eyes and ears. What I allow to influence me is what I will speak into other people and how I will influence them.
LEADERSHIP connects people to their potential, in Christ, to reach their divine purpose. True LEADERSHIP helps people make the VineSweet Connection and connect to a fruitful life.
