Lead by Example

Leadership. When you think of a good leader, who do you think of? What kind of characteristics do they possess?

It may seem as if some people are simply born natural leaders. They appear to effortlessly project those innate qualities most would associate with a leader.

Some of us may think we’re great leaders, while others may not want any part in leading anything. We may feel like we’re excellent leaders in some respects but not so great in others. However, despite how we feel about leadership, we are all leaders of something, are we not?

We may be leaders at work, at school, within an organization we belong to, in our communities, in our relationships, or in our churches. If you’re an adult, you are a leader in your home. If you have children, you’re a leader in your family unit.

Sometimes we’re reluctant leaders. That was my case this week when I was voted into a leadership position that I had no desire for. However, sometimes it’s not about us. Sometimes we must put our selfish desires aside and step up when we’re called to do so, whether we’re ready and willing or not.

Additionally, if you’re like me, you’ve had to become the spiritual leader in your family. While that’s not how God intended it, for me, that’s okay. Part of being a respectable leader is stepping up, being that good example for those you care about, and taking on more responsibilities when there are needs that are unmet.

Think about all you do. I’ll bet you’re more of a leader than you realize. Now, think about how you lead. What makes you a leader and are you an effective one?

There are tons of books, articles, and quizzes about leadership styles, which is best, and why. When I Googled types of leadership, I quickly counted 14 different leadership styles, and there may have been more.

So, what’s the best type of leadership? You could argue for a different leadership approach for different situations. However, if you look to Jesus and His example of leadership, there’s one that stands above the rest: the Servant Leader.

The concept of servant leadership is where a leader puts the needs of others before his or her own, serving first and leading second. It is strongly based on supporting, empowering, and mentoring others.

When God calls us to salvation, He is also calling us to be servant leaders for His kingdom. He sent His son Jesus to live a human life to exemplify for us what it means to lead with a servant’s heart.

The gospels are full of examples of Jesus’ servant leadership.

We see this through Jesus’ teachings. “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all,’” (Matthew 10:42-44).

We see this through Jesus’ loving and compassionate nature. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” (Matthew 9:36).

We see this through His humility. Just before the Passover meal, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, a job that was typically done by the lowliest household servant. Furthermore, Jesus even washed the feet of His known betrayer, Judas Iscariot.

“’When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them,’” (John 13: 12-17).

We see this through Jesus’ actions. Jesus took time to talk to people. He visited and befriended the outcasts and the deprived. He healed the sick and disabled, fed the hungry, redeemed the oppressed, cast out demons, and brought the dead to life.

Ultimately, Jesus sacrificed Himself, His very life, so that we might be redeemed and have eternal life through Him. “’For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many,’” (Mark 10:45).

Being a leader can be hard. Many times, it is a stressful, thankless, and time-consuming position. Jesus knows this better than any.

Not all leaders are good leaders. However, if you want to know how to be a worthy leader, look to Jesus and follow His example.

Lead with Authority

Being a leader means being in a position of authority. Having that authority doesn’t mean you need to take advantage of it or lord it over others. Authority itself means, per Oxford Languages, to have “the power or right to give orders, make decision, and enforce obedience” or “the power to influence others, especially because of one’s commanding manner or one’s recognized knowledge about something.”

With a presidential election coming up later this year, many of you may have a lot to say about leadership. Unfortunately, what we usually hear is bad, no matter what party’s candidate is in office.

However, the Bible tells us, like them or not, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves,” (Romans 13:1-2).

We’ve discussed the difficulty of leadership. It’s hard to please everyone, and you will usually offend or anger someone even if you don’t mean to, simply because of something you’ve said or a decision you’ve made.

Jesus again understood this all too well. The religious leaders and Pharisees were always questioning, testing, and ridiculing Him, as well as plotting to silence and even kill Him. Knowing this, Jesus led with authority, nonetheless.

One example is found in Matthew 9:2-8. “Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.’ At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, ‘This fellow is blaspheming!’ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, ‘Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the paralyzed man, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home.’ Then the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”

Being a leader in your family can be especially difficult. As a parent, you oversee every aspect of at least one other human being. Being an authority figure is so important if you want your children to respect and obey you.

You were put in the leadership position of parenthood to rear your children as the Bible teaches us, not to be their best friend or to keep them happy by allowing them to do whatever they want or get whatever they want. Ephesians 6:1-3 instructs, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’”

A big part of mothering, although not a fun part, is disciplining our children. God teaches us that discipline is an act of love. It shouldn’t be induced by anger or frustration but should be done for the well-being of the child.

 “The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child,” (Hebrews 12:6). “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it,” (Hebrews 12:11).

As mothers, we also find ourselves in the role of judge during the (often frequent) disputes between our children. We must again strive to parent with authority, upholding whatever judgement we deem fit for the occasion.

As parents, the Lord instructs us not to favor one child over another. “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism,” (James 2:1). In mothering, we should be fair. “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy,” (Proverbs 31:9). We should also be merciful as we parent because children make mistakes just like all of us, and they are still learning right from wrong. “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment,” (James 2:13). These teachings can also apply to any leadership position.

Therefore, lead with authority, but understand that your authority doesn’t come from you alone, especially in spiritual matters. Our spiritual authority comes from Jesus Christ alone. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,’” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Lead Humbly with God’s Guidance

When you study leaders within the Bible, you can find many examples of those both good and not so good. However, one common theme is replayed over and over. When the leaders followed God’s instructions, they prospered. Alternatively, when they disobeyed God’s direction, they faltered.

The Bible teaches us to lead under the Lord’s direction and He will guide our steps. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it,’” (Isaiah 30:21).

The Bible also teaches us to lead with humility. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others,” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Leadership also includes relying on those around you to help you and delegating tasks to those who are prepared to complete them successfully. As a leader, you can’t do it all. Furthermore, although you may lead others, you do not know it all. It’s important as a leader to understand your limitations and strive to be a continuous learner.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God,” (Micah 6:8).

There is a short story in the Bible of a woman of authority who took a journey to become a better leader herself. You can read about this woman, the Queen of Sheba (also referred to as Queen of the South), in 1 Kings 10:1-13, 2 Chronicles 9:1-13, and Matthew 12:42.

Although she was the top-dog of her region, the Queen of Sheba heard of King Solomon and about his God who gifted him with great wisdom. The queen was intrigued and wanted to discover herself if this was true.  “When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions,” (1 Kings 10:1).

Hearing that Solomon was the wisest man in the world, the queen, knowing of the difficulties leaders often face, likely wanted to learn from him, and we find that she wasn’t disappointed. “…she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built…she was overwhelmed,” (1 Kings 10:2b-5).

The queen found that the rumors were all true and weren’t simply exaggerations used to inflate the reputation of the king. God had certainly blessed Solomon as his extraordinary wisdom couldn’t be explained any other way.

“She said to the king, ‘The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard,’” (1 Kings 10:6-7).

Through that interaction, not only did it make the queen a believer in Solomon’s wisdom, but more importantly, made her a believer in the Lord. “How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the Lord’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king to maintain justice and righteousness,” (1 Kings 10:8-9).

The queen made a very long journey, perhaps out of curiosity alone. However, more likely, it was a God-ordained trip used to spread His Word to distant lands. For surely, on her way back home, the Queen of Sheba told all those she encountered about King Solomon and the God of Israel.

When you’re taking on a leadership position, be certain it’s a task the Lord is guiding you toward before pursuing it. If it is, follow His lead to find true success in your role. Do so with authority but also humility and be a great example to others as Christ is for us.

As the famous hymnal written by Ernest W. Blandy reads, “Where He leads me, I will follow. Where He leads me, I will follow. Where He leads me, I will follow. I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.”

Will you let God lead you today, and will you lead others to Him as well?

Have a blessed week!

-Becky