Why does power appeal to so many in the role of leadership?
Does it involve authority?
Is it control?
Could it be decision-making?
Spiritually, the answer is, “NO!”
Power involves the ability to do something or act in a specific way that influences the behavior and direction of others.
Power is about God’s ability to direct and influence the behavior of others.
The word of the cross is God’s power to save. It will save you and me. Our only power comes by sharing it with others?
Elite means something special because it is defined as the best in a particular area or field. Generally, elite-ness is associated with power, wealth, or ability.
Spiritual leadership, however, also carries an elite characteristic. The idea is not about a self-centered power, wealth, or ability. It is about Who makes us elite.
Through the sacrifice of Christ, God’s grace was abundantly provided to us. The result grants us “elite access” to the throne of God.
Christians are elite. Knowing the outcome of Christ’s work on the cross, we have a responsibility to lead others to share in the access we have with God.
Why is it life and leadership cannot always be about the upside? Is there a purpose to dealing with the negative struggles challenging life and leadership?
Spiritual leaders know the downside helps in developing an appreciation for the upside.
God’s power is perfected in our lives as a result of enduring the downside.
The downside is designed to equip us with an ability to help others who are suffering.
The difference is found in the way leaders respond to these challenges. The downside indicates that challenges and problems will come. The upside is they are only temporary.
Lead with the hope of knowing there is an upside.
Problems arise when leaders abuse power, or base their power on an inward self-centeredness.
Spiritual leadership must be built on the power of God.
When our leadership turns inward and self-centered, it will fail.
True leadership is about the power that comes from our God through His gracious and indescribable gift, Jesus.
He is the power to save, to make all things happen, and to lead.
Paul wrote “no man has the power to lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus the Christ” (1 Co. 3:11).
Let us pray for His guidance and direction in our leadership.
The thought of leadership and power often creates the temptation to use one’s power inappropriately.
It is tragic to read or hear of men who succumb to immorality or unethical business practices. In a moment of poor judgment, when power is abused, character is destroyed.
Consider the awesome God we serve.
Practice His presence… ALWAYS!
Never say or do anything we wouldn’t in His presence.
Remember that any leadership position is given by God.
Develop an open door policy.
Pray… without ceasing.
Perhaps these few suggestions will help us understand the proper use of the power entrusted to us by God.
Consider the power of leadership to alter eternity. The influence of godly leaders makes a difference in the eternal destination of everyone around them.
The driving motivation behind leadership directly relates to the lives changed. When we think about it more closely, the moment someone’s life is changed by our influence, we cannot help but experience change in our own life.
If we truly believe that eternity matters that much, then let us exercise the type of diligence necessary to influence every soul we meet. We might just alter eternity, theirs and ours.
At the hands of Rome, Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross.
Suffering is not often seen as greatness, but rather a stumbling block and foolishness. However, to those who are saved, it is the power of God.
The purpose of His suffering makes this an act of great leadership.
As leaders today, the higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make. What leaders willingly suffer becomes a mark of great leadership today also.
Why do people lead?
Some lead for the power. They simply want authority over others to direct them.
Some lead out of a crisis. When crisis strikes, individuals are often forced into leadership.
Others lead because no one else will. When godly leaders do not rise up, others will, but not always in the right direction.
Still, some lead for the joy of it. They strive to develop godly and Christlike character, and desire to lead others to Christ.
Paul referred to those who led with both wrong motives and the right one. Examine why you lead, and learn to lead for the joy of an eternal outcome.
Jesus suffered on numerous occasions at the hands of religious leaders who sought to eliminate this threat to their position and power.
The ultimate suffering, however, did not come at their hands, even though they instigated the procedure.
Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross at the hands of Rome.
Suffering is not often seen as greatness, rather a stumbling block and foolishness. To those who are saved, however, it is the power of God.
The higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make.
Defining ambition is not difficult. The difficulty arises when we consider where our ambition lies.
Is our ambition driven by financial security, power, or authority?
Would our ambition be characterized by selfish and physical priorities, or a spiritual focus?
Paul identified an ambition that was spiritually and eternally developed, because we make it our ambition to please the Lord.
When our leadership is driven to please the Lord it changes our approach to every area of life, and the church will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.