Jump Start # 969

Ezekiel 34:12 “As a shepherd cares for herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for my sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day.”

We are looking this week at the powerful theme of leadership. In Ezekiel’s day, the leaders of the nation failed. The nation was drifting into idolatry and lackluster attitudes toward the Lord. The leaders were doing nothing. God was angry with the leaders. Our verse shows that God was going to take over the leadership. God cared. His heart was for His people.

All of this brings up an interesting thought: How does one become a leader? There are three ways a person gets to be a leader and only one of them is the best suited for the job.

• Some are chosen leaders because of charisma, charm or power. Good looking people that have a certain appeal. They win elections. Are they the best person for the job? Often not. Others get into leadership roles by a powerful political machine that pours tons of money into advertising. In many ways, these kinds of leaders bought their way into that position. They knew the system and used it to their advantage. These folks do not make good leaders because they have sold themselves out and are puppets to the system. They make good politicians but not good leaders. Some can talk a good story, but fail when it comes to actually leading people.

• Some become leaders because of nature, not ability. Many men have become dads because of relations that they have had with women. They did not think about being a dad and many of them have no idea what a dad is supposed to be or do. In fact, some of them, want nothing to do with the child. They are now a dad, whether they like it or not. They are in the position of being a father and God charges them with the role of leading that child to Heaven. Selfish men who have layers of issues and are addicted to everything but God make lousy dads. Others have taken on the role of dad very seriously. They spend time with the child and mold and shape that child. They are responsible and are doing a fantastic job of leading their home. God bless their number. There is no test to take before one becomes a dad. There is no membership card, fees you have to pay, classes you must pass in order to qualify to be a dad. One of the most important leadership roles is the world is often run by those who are inept and indifferent to the role given to them. There is a current movie out called, “Bad Grandpa.” I’ll be passing on that one. The title says it all. Bad grandpas usually were bad dads. There is nothing funny about that.

• Some are put into the role of leadership because of their ability and their track record. They have shown that they are leaders. They have a heart of a servant and are compassionate. They spend many hours helping others. They put self on the back burner and concentrate on making a difference in the lives of others. They are worthy to lead because they have proven themselves.

Our personalities have something to do with being a leader. A leader must be decisive. A wishy washy type of guy will flounder as a leader. A leader must be able to stick with principle. People will always try to move a leader off of principle. Kids want their bedtime pushed back. Workers want to change company policy. A leader will get pressure from the sheep he leads. They will want this or that. Some that are closest to the leader will try to influence the leader in their favor. A good leader will stick to what is best. This will make him unpopular with some. This will make him the target for cheap shots and criticism. The leader must have some back bone and see the big picture. His leading is based upon what is best for the people.

A person learns leadership skills from others and especially from the Bible. God has led His people for a long, long time. He knows how to do the job. When we look at how Jesus led the disciples we learn valuable tools about leadership. Jesus made time for people. Jesus allowed interruptions. Jesus stayed focused upon His mission. Jesus wouldn’t get trapped into taking sides or having favorites. Jesus led. There was something about Jesus that attracted people. He had something to say and He said it in such a way that people followed. Don’t you think we can learn something from that? Jesus was a servant. Jesus showed by example. There is nothing that God asks of us that Jesus did not first do himself. He understood the success in following the leader. The politician who is out of touch, the CEO who is locked away in the corporate office, the dad who screams orders during commercials of a ballgame would all do well to spend some time looking at Jesus. There must be a trust factor between the leaders and the followers. If the followers do no like, trust and or believe in the leader, they will not follow. Rebellion is what takes place. In the old days, aboard a ship, there would be a mutiny. The captain would be set afloat on a small boat and the crew would turn the ship around and go a different direction. Leading by mob mentality is a sure mess. The moment determines the direction. Force and power become the attributes of choice.

The heart of the leader is for the wellbeing of others. This is where leadership begins. It’s not a position or power thing. Not at all. It’s about helping others. It’s about helping the company, the church, the family. It’s about doing what’s best for the people. In doing so, the leader will do things that may not be on the top of his list of things he would like to do, but he will choose those because they are best for the others. It’s not about self, it’s about others. This is where leadership begins and thrives.

A selfish person should never be in the position of leadership. They will abuse the position and destroy any good that is before them.

Leading is a privilege. Lead with honor and dignity.

Roger