DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT MONDAY - A HEART STARTER #14.

Leadership is not magnetic personality. That can just as well be a glib tongue. It is not making friends and influencing people; that is flattery. Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to higher standards, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. - Peter Drucker.

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. - Heb 13:7.

Well, that’s another weekend gone, and we are starting a new week. Monday’s can be very lethargic, and not easy to get going, so I thought by way of encouragement, that we could have a ‘Heart Starter’ from God, rather than six cups of coffee!

Today we are having a look at some examples of leadership. Whether we are at home, in the workplace, school or college, we are surrounded by leadership, some good and some bad, but whatever the type, we can all learn from them. As Christians our example is Jesus and the Bible. Look at some of the examples of leadership, and judge what one suits you…

Cal Thomas found himself called a "Christian leader" by a leading Christian magazine and he wondered what that meant. More speaking engagements? Perhaps an appearance on a Christian talk show?

"It would certainly give me the right to start putting Scripture references under my signed name in books I have written. I would surely sign more Bibles, which I find a curious practice since I didn't write that Book."

Thomas wonders if we have reversed things. God's strength is made perfect in weakness. "In a church I once attended, there was a man of tremendous faith. His wife is an alcoholic, His daughter has psychological problems. He was often poor in health. Yet, week after week, he never complained. He always smiled and asked me how I was doing. He faithfully brought to church a young blind man who had no transportation. He always sat with the blind man, helping him sing the hymns by saying the words into his ear. That man was a `Christian leader' if ever there was one." - "Dear God, Please Don't Let Me Be a Christian Leader," Fundamentalist Journal.
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The following principles of leadership emerge from biblical teaching:
1. Christian leaders should be certain that their goal is to serve God and others, not to receive the title or honor that comes with leadership.
2. Leaders should not use their position for their own advantage or comfort. No task should be "beneath" them--although some tasks may be delegated. They should not ask others to do what they are unwilling to do themselves.
3. Leaders will seek to distinguish their own preferences from the will and welfare of the group as a whole.
4. Normally the position should seek the leader. There may be some situations in which persons may apply or volunteer. Nevertheless, when someone strongly desires a particular responsibility, his or her motivation should be carefully examined.
5. We must learn to see each other as valuable to the Lord and basically equal in his sight. - Millard J. Erickson.
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George Bernard Shaw's statement frequently flashes through my mind: "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."

In a day of passing the buck with merely a shrug, those words bite and sting. It's one thing to sing and dance to liberty's tunes, but it's something else entirely to bear the responsibility for paying the band. There are numerous examples of this. Being in leadership carries with it a few privileges and perks, but living with the responsibility of that task makes a reserved parking space and your own bathroom pale into insignificance.

Conceiving children is a moment of sheer ecstasy, but rearing them as a loving and caring parent represents years of thankless responsibility. Enjoying a great conference is both delightful and memorable, but behind the scenes - count on it - are unseen hours of creative thinking, disciplined planning, and responsible arranging. Running an organization that gets a job done, leaving those involved feeling fulfilled and appreciated, can be exciting, fun, and stretching, but it's a nightmare unless the details of responsibility are clearly set forth and maintained. - Charles Swindoll.

Wow! Now that our hearts are beating regularly, let’s consider what we have just read over a cup of Java, and ask the Lord to help us to be the kind of leader He wants us to be.

Loving Father, I thank you for the beautiful weekend that I had. Help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be the kind of leader you want me to be, and to be a good example for others to follow, that I may bring glory to your name. Use me Lord, to lead others by my example. In the wonderful name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Be encouraged!
GBYAY