I am sure that we all have stories about the “sins of our youth.” While reflecting on our devotional focus of being a leader, I am reminded of a time when I chose to be a follower. It was when a group of us were playing in the woods next to my childhood home. Our stupidity was revealed when we set the woods on fire! It all started off so innocent, but the rest of us let one guy dominate the situation instead of stopping him from doing something dangerous. This illustrates just one example of needing to “be that leader!”
Our series “Intentional Leadership” has me studying and thinking about the significance of taking leadership in our lives. The writer of Hebrews reminds Jesus’ followers, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7). It is a reminder that it is a personal responsibility of our own life in Christ. He is speaking of course about following the examples of other godly leaders. It is my assessment that one of the greatest needs in the faith community is for Jesus’ followers to be that leader. The situation in the woods many years ago, reminded me that I knew what the self-imposed leader was doing was not only wrong but dangerous. Yet, I chose in that moment to stay silent. Let’s be honest, genuine leadership is challenging because it requires us to stand for what is right. One of the greatest lessons in our lives is when we walk beside a leader who is taking the unpopular path because it is right; “right” meaning that which is pleasing in the Lord’s sight.
This leads us to a second insight about “being that leader”. The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17). This reminds us of our responsibility to look out for others. I was recently on a crowded bus with standing room only. Our group was standing. I was faced with a moral dilemma at the next stop when seats next to me opened up. I could have chosen to sit down but I allowed an elderly lady to have the seat. This level of leadership requires sacrifices and is almost always inconvenient. The fire once ignited in the dry woods was out of control burning towards two homes, my family home and our neighbor’s home. There are times when our lack of leadership is just disrespectful, but at other times it can be destructive.
The challenge for us today is that there are so many influences vying for control over our lives. It could be another person. It could be the media that we consume. It could be our physical appetites of our undisciplined life. Thankfully the fire was put out by the local Fire Department a short distance from the neighbor’s house. We were fortunate!
Looking back at Hebrews 13:7 I am reminded of the challenge: “Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7b). The word imitate can also be translated “duplicate!” Let me encourage you to “be that leader” today! “so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12).
-Pastor Joe Parkinson