Born to be a Leader, Called to be a Follower

Not what God has in mind

    The world is looking for leaders.  They search for those who will save us from our political woes, introduce new ideas to aid in a promising future or lead the way in a landslide of  immorality and temporary pleasure.
   The Christian culture is also looking for leaders. Youth pastors, conference speakers and big name authors all frantically seek to raise up a generation of young people who will rise above the norm (by living a moral life, giving us the hope that Christianity might again become attractive and draw the general populous to "the church".)  If you are between the age of 15-25, the world and your Christian patriarchs offer to you the challenge of rising to leadership. However, the question I want to present to you is not will you rise to the call? but will you follow Christ?
     Like it often does, Christ's call upon your life diverges greatly from the message of the masses.

    

"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself 

and take up his cross daily and follow me."

- Luke 9:23 -

      "Follow me" is the most repeated phrase in all of the gospels.  When Jesus calls people to Himself, He isn't asking them to becomes political leaders, societal reformers or the Olympic star of their day.  God's kingdom isn't built upon the principle that the person with the biggest fan club wins.  In essence, what Christ is saying in this verse is, "I am the Lord.  I am the Leader.  Will you follow me?"   The gospel message isn't a message of self promotion but rather one of self demotion as we follow Christ no matter what he cost.

     I find it surprising that Paul, the "super apostle" if you will, never called himself a leader.  If anyone had the right to claim this title it should have been him but instead he gives himself the titles of bond-servant, slave, nothing and prisoner for Christ Jesus.  It seems to me that Paul followed Christ's command in Matthew 23:11, which states:

"And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.  Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ."

The greek word for instructor can also be translated teacher, master or leader.  Even in Paul's humble introductions he reminders his readers that there is only one Leader and Teacher.  At the core of Paul's life was Christ and it was his greatest joy to point others to the Leader he followed.  Paul was an effective "leader" because he was a submitted follower.
  

"Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk 

according to the example you have in us."

Philippians 3:17

    When we set our sights on being a leader, we have misplaced our aim.  Frustration, disappointment or pride and arrogance are often the reward we bring home from the hunt when we attempt in our own power or strength to be the leader that only Christ can be.  Our aim must be on following Christ with absolute abandon and surrender.  Some may cheer and others may ridicule but isn't it enough to live for the applaud of our King?  

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, 

leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

1 Peter 2:21 

       One of my life verses is 1 Timothy 4:12:

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an 

example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

     This verse does not say "lead the believers" or "tell the believers what to do" but rather, Paul commands young Timothy to set them an example.  In God's kingdom the greatest is the servant (Matthew 23:11), the humble is exalted (Matthew 23:12) and favor is given to the lowly (Proverbs 3:34).   "He must increase but I must decrease" (John 3:30).  As you follow Christ's example you will also set an example for those around you.  It is up to God to determine who and how many will be effected by your example.  In "exampleship" Christ is the focus, He determines the effectiveness and in the end, God gets all the glory.  So I encourage you, look to the example you have in Christ and follow Him.  Only when we follow hard after Christ will the example we set be worth following because ultimately it won't be us that others follow but Christ as our lives point to Him.