Ok, so I’m kind of a nerd and like to listen to podcasts.
Recently, I stumbled across a podcast title that really caught my attention. It was a podcast for lawn care leaders. I took a second look. Lawn care, leaders?!? Full disclosure, I haven’t listened to it fully, so I can’t vouch for its helpfulness or appropriateness, but in any case, it reminded me that even the guys that dedicate their time and energy to mowing and manicuring those lovely green patches in front of our homes need some tips on leadership!
Leadership is a hot topic in today’s world. There are thousands of resources that are focused on helping people become better leaders, and I must say that they are needed. While many of these resources provide practical advice, I’ve noticed one significant problem in the content of many of these books. They leave God out of the equation. I strongly believe that without God as a part of your life, you’ll never be able to reach your full potential as a leader.
In today’s article I want to touch on the life of Gideon, and remind you of some Biblical principles that will help you to be the right kind of leader.
“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” (Judges 6:12-13)
Remember the Power of God
Gideon was bothered by something. He looked at the conditions of the nation of Israel, and realized that something was missing from the equation. He realized that his generation was not witnessing the power of God in the same way that previous generations had seen God work. It bothered him, and he began to question why.
A good leader will look at his life and those he is responsible for, and ask the tough questions:
Why are so many Christians living powerless lives?
Why are teens afraid to stand for the Lord?
Why am I giving into the pressure of what others think?
Why do the wicked seem to prosper?
These questions will force us to pray and ask God to do the things that we cannot do. As you seek to be a leader, remember that “a leader is no leader unless he seeks the face of God.”
Remember the Presence of God
“ The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour…” A Christian leader must remember the source of his strength is the presence of Christ. The reason Gideon could be a mighty man of valor, was because the Lord was with him.
When the Lord is with us, we will have the ability to point others to Christ. As a side note, let me remind you of something that is vitally important. We (as humans) are not capable of changing the lives of others. Only God is! Our responsibility is to point others to Christ.
As God’s presence rested on Gideon, he was reminded of the great things that God could do, and began to diligently ask God to do them again!
I often think of the words to a simple chorus, that says “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine, He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills, the sun and stars that shine. Wonderful riches more than tongue can tell, He is my Father so their mine as well, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills I know that he will care for me.”
I often need to remind myself that, as a believer, God is with me. He will empower me to do what He’s called me to do. Christian teen, God will do the same for you. Take a step of faith and go forward, believing!
Remember the People of God
Leadership is not about you being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about your taking the step to follow God and calling others to make that decision with you. It’s about nurturing and encouraging those who are weaker in the faith. It’s about your having a humble attitude. It’s about learning God’s ways and following them. It’s about caring and loving others as God has loved you.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:8-10)
As many of you are getting ready to start a new school year (whether at school or home) it’s time for many of you to step up and be the leader. Here are a few suggestions:
- Be the first to volunteer to pray.
- Be the one to respond to an invitation.
- Be the one to show kindness to others.
- Be the one to do what’s right.
- Be willing to lend a helping hand.
I trust and pray that you will be a godly leader today. If there’s any way that I can be a help to you, please contact me.
