By: Alexander Rico
Throughout the scriptures, chapters and passages have been noted as speaking on the characteristic that all men who wish to be in a leadership role must posses. As a leader myself, both for Teens4Jesus and a local college Christian Club, I am certain that aside from the other qualities that each leader must meet (noted in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1) there are a few other musts for a leader. These can be composed into two key components. These components are essential to being a leader. See, a leader has to be first off led of God; then, able to lead others. Let us take some time now to dissect each of these points, as so that, we can get the full picture.
First, a leader must be led. This key component does not mean that a leader is led by people, but that the leader is led of the Lord; Psalm 25:4-5 states, “Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; on you I wait all the day.” As the Psalmist, David, writes here the Lord is the one who should direct our paths. I have learned that when I begin to allow people to direct my paths, and stop seeking the Lord in decision making those decisions typically go sour real fast. I end up with larger problems than I would have had I just sought the Lord’s direction for the issue. Now, many of you may be asking, well how can we be led of God?
Well, by simply, feeding on His Word daily and seeking His advice through the scriptures. The Bible is not some dead manual. In this book are 66 separate books that have all the answers to life problems (including problem solving). Hey, God made us; therefore, He knows how to handle the problems we encounter throughout our daily life.
Secondly, we are called to lead and to do it by example. “Shepard the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3, NKJV).
In the scriptures we are given the image and picture of a shepherd. The word shepherd(s) is quoted as being used 26 times in the New King James Version. Several times referring to us, as leaders. Why do you think we are perceived in such a manner in the Bible? Well, the Berlitz Dictionary of American English states that a shepherd is a, “man who takes care of the sheep in the fields. To keep the sheep together, to guide.” We have all perhaps had an opportunity to sit back and watch (perhaps on Television) a person herding sheep. We see that when the sheep begins to wonder away from the flock and into danger the shepherd comes alongside and walks that sheep back into the flock; thereby, keeping it onto the right path. You never see a shepherd watch as the sheep wanders off into danger and do nothing about it.
Have you ever thought of how it would be without a shepherd there present with the sheep? I can picture mass hysteria; sheep going everywhere and falling into danger. I have actually pictured this before when in a High school Christian club. Without a leader people did not know what to do and what not to do. They began to dabble around into things that they knew to be unbiblical, yet no one there to guide them. As time continued on they grew away from the Lord and actually stopped serving him completely. Sad isn’t it? But, when we hear this it seems to really seems to place perspective on our duties and responsibilities as a leader, doesn’t it? Without a shepherd the flock goes astray.
I pray and hope that this helps you to better get a grasp onto your key responsibilities as a godly leader over those that the Lord has entrusted to you. Remember, a leader is a person who, “directs others,” or, “one who is in the front of others.” Therefore, we must be ready to guide them in the ways that the Lord wants us to not because it is our will; but, His and above all else know that the road ahead is not going to be an easy one, however, do not get discouraged by me saying this because you have an awesome source of power behind you. YOU HAVE CHRIST! May God now continue to bless you as you search more and more into your new position in Christ and as you begin to lead the flock entrusted to you; God bless!
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