LEADERSHIP - Character Quality # 16

A great leader lifts his/her lid by:

1                   Being a good follower

2                   Influencing

3                   Having vision

4                   Showing up

5                   Giving your all

6                   Taking initiative

7                   Reenlisting to follow

        One wouldn’t think that a great leader needs to be a good follower.  However, we all follow something – the important question is who or what do we follow?  Many people are ruined by choosing to follow the wrong people, ideas or philosophies.  Following Jesus is the only right choice for following.

PETER FOLLOWED

Matthew 4:18-20

 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."   At once they left their nets and followed him.

It also wouldn’t seem that being made a “FISHER OF MEN” is a good metaphor for leadership.  Fishing is passive – either the fish are biting or they aren’t.  Not true, a real fisherperson works hard and uses the right bait in the right location to attract the right fish to the net or the hook.  You influence the fish to come.

Lifting the lid of leadership ends where it begins and it starts all over again.  Notice how the scene below is similar in location and theme to the one above – at the beginning and near the conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

PETER REENLISTED TO FOLLOW

John 21:12-19

Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.  Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.  This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.   When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"  "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."   Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"  He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."   The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.  I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."   Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

Can you think of a time when your leadership lid has been lifted or when you have seen someone else lift their lid of leadership?

From the Heart,
Pastor Jeff Cooper