powerfully leading

The Bible is full of supporting evidence that people are important to God.  He gave His best for people.  He continues to love, guide and deal with His people.  We are His people as well.  Our gracious and loving God desires to empower us as we live life.

You might not call yourself a leader, but all of us lead the people around us.  Some of us have bigger influence than others do, but it is vital to take seriously our impact on the lives of people around us.

Philippians 4:13  NASB

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

God decided at the beginning of time to allow people to carry His story and His love to other people.  He put the weight of believing on our testimonies shared with the people around us.  His desire is to strengthen us, but what good is that strength if we don’t use it?

To lead others, whether our family or church or business, we have to chose to plug in to His power.  By allowing God to work on us and work through us we will be able allow His truth to be transferred to others.

Ephesians 3:17  NLT

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

I read an article yesterday from Rick Warren that offered great insight into us leading or winning the right to lead others.  (The article can be found at THIS LINK.)  Warren shared that there are some specific things that we can make sure are part of our lives that allow us to influence others.

1 Timothy 3:1,7 GNT

This is a true saying: If a man is eager to be a church leader, he desires an excellent work… He should be a man who is respected by the people outside the church, so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the Devil's trap.

There are ways that we can earn the respect of others.  Integrity is one essential way to impact others.  Without integrity we are phony.  Another key to leading is humility which is a way to open the hearts and lives of the people around us.  When we are dependable, people will count on us and begin to let us speak in to their lives.  It is vital that we make sure our priorities are right and are strong.  To have goals and to live with purpose gives us priorities put in the right place and open us much for us.  Generosity is a great way to help people open up to your leading.  That is not because they will be around you to get something.  Being generous is contagious.  One last way to insure being a powerful leader is to be spiritual.  Plug your life into God and let God in each and every area of your life.

I desire to lead people to know Jesus and to experience God.  But for me to lead others I have to be led myself.  The best leader is the one who is full of desire for others and their best.  This person is not self-centered.  This person allows God to work through their words, actions and even through their thinking and planning.

May God help each of us to be leading powerfully those people around us.