Daily Thought for Monday, December 5th

December 5, 2011 

Being A Leader

Today’s Thought:

“In the simplest terms, a leader is one who knows where he wants to go, gets up, and goes.” – John Erskine

Today’s Quote:

“The manager administers, the leader innovates. The manager maintains; the leader develops.  The manager relies on systems; the leader relies on people.  The manager counts on controls; the leader counts on trust.  The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.” – From an Article in Fortune Magazine

Today’s Question:

Did you know that: “The outstanding leaders of every age are those who set up their own quotas and constantly exceed them?” – Thomas Watson

Today’s Bible Verses:          Proverbs 11:14,  Proverbs 12:24 &  James 1:22-25

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Leadership is the courage to admit mistakes, the vision to welcome change, the enthusiasm to motivate others, and the confidence to stay out of step when everyone else is marching to the wrong tune.” – E. M. Estes

In some respects, it may seem ironic that when thinking of ourselves as Christian’s we would think in terms of being leaders.  Doesn’t the word Christian, itself, intonate the ideal that we are to be followers of Christ, imitating Him?  “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” – The Bible (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Yet, I would like to contend, that as we follow – we should lead.

We need to be leaders in faith by example to others of the hope and joy that is in us.

We need to lead not as rulers or governors but in meekness and humility, guiding aiding, assisting and enabling others to find their way to a stronger, deeper and more meaningful walk and relationship with God.

The truth is that if someone doesn’t step up and step out; many if not most will never move beyond the spot in which they currently find themselves.  Leaders are vital to getting God’s work done, in our modern world.  And as Christians our challenge is to know when it’s our time to lead and when it’s our time to follow.

But in all we do, and in any leadership role we may assume: it must always lead others to the one we are to follow and that is Jesus.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to be a diligent and faithful leader whose aim, ambition and desire is to always lead other to a greater and deeper relationship with you.

“A gifted leader is one who is capable of touching your heart.”

- J. S. Potofsky