Consider a thought expressed by Lao Tzu, “Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. The best of leaders when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, the people will say we have done it ourselves.”

Leadership of this nature will…

Build confidence in others.
Strengthen the focus of the group.
Accomplish more and greater overall good.
Leave a legacy into eternity.
Know more people will reach heaven because of their leadership.

Leadership is needed. Will we step up and do our part?

Life is too short to work at something we hate. Additionally, when we love what we do it never feels like work.

This does not mean we never experience problems or challenges, even in a job we love. However, when we love what we do, the difference is noticeable.

Regardless of our career choice, nothing holds more value than leading others to Christ. There is no greater opportunity or privilege than changing someone’s eternal destination of others.

When our relationship with God makes a difference for others, we know the love to lead.

Wandering in desert places does not appeal to most. Yet, many leaders wander because lack the vision to lead people in the direction they ought to go, and this is their role.

Rosalynn Carter said, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.”

We need great leaders in the home, our world, and the church. Too many only take people where they want to go. Let us arise to the challenge and become the great leaders God requires in every area of life.

Never forget, “We can’t make it on our own.” We need God and each other. 

The vital role of leaders cannot be overstated. People are hurting; they lack joy in their lives; they struggle to find answers.

Our spiritual families assemble because they need and want help. They desire a message to help them deal with the pain of life.

We must always remember the necessity of helping others. It may be a friend or a family member. When they seek help, let us lead them to the only One who can ease their pain, Jesus.

Never give up! Do not quit! Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Does this sound familiar?

Leadership must be built on the foundational stone of persistence.

Will we get discouraged?
Will the negative often overshadow the positive?
Will we want to move on?
Will we want to quit?

The answer to these questions, and more, is YES! But, like the child who knows persistence is eventually rewarded, we must recognize the need to be persistent in leading others to heaven.

This is not an easy path, but it will be worth it. Stay the course!

We often develop relationships because we believe there is a payoff down the road. Samuel Johnson wrote, “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”

Our leadership gains momentum if we learn to avoid favoritism, develop consistency, fairness, and the highest level of integrity.

Why is this important? Because God shows no partiality. He does not look at the color of our skin, nationality in our passport, age, gender, or the amount of physical prosperity. He simply examines the heart of each person. Do we?

Cal Newton’s book, Deep Work,provides amazing insight into the disruptive nature of distractions to the type of work that matters.

He expressed this thought, “Clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not.”

Leaders need to be clear regarding what matters. With this clarity it is possible to eliminate other matters that tend to distract us. Then we can focus on a deeper work critical to the spiritual purpose God desires.

We need extended time without the constant barrage of social media, email, texting, and phone calls. The result is time that allows us to challenge our minds to think more deeply.

Throughout the New Testament we find people looking for Jesus, but for different reasons.

Herod looked for Jesus to put Him to death.
The magi looked for the King of Israel.
The Pharisees and Sadducees looked to trap Him.
Multitudes looked to be healed by Him.
Led by Judas, an angry mob, soldiers, and religious leaders looked to crucify Him.

Jesus asked, “Whom do you seek?”

Who do we look for today? Can others find what they look for through us. If they look for Jesus, will they find Him? Here is where spiritual leadership begins.

Moses experienced an intimate relationship with God that was “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.”

Is it possible to develop an intimate relationship with God like one shared between the closest of friends?

What can we learn from the example of Moses?

He desired to know God more than anything else.
He sought the favor of God through obedience.
He communicated with God daily.
He loved God’s people with an incredible intercessory love.
He led with a passion to fulfill God’s will.

The New Testament teaches us to walk with God based on several parallels. Spiritual leaders should not only desire this intimate relationship, but strive to achieve it.

What is our purpose? We cannot lead effectively without it.

God had a purpose in sending Jesus.
Jesus had a purpose in going to the cross.
The apostles had a purpose in their preaching.

What is our purpose, yours and mine, in our day to day existence?

Spiritual leadership has but one purpose: lead others to heaven. The reason we strive to live a godly example is to fulfill this purpose.

For this reason we develop relationships with others. Nothing is more important. Nothing is more rewarding. Fulfilling our purpose makes the difference.