Godly Leadership

           This quote from John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach sums up the Christian leader’s life, “Discipline yourself and others won’t need to.” As a Christian leader, you are in the spotlight; your life not only reflects on you, it reflects on God. To be one that glorifies God with your life, you must lead as Jesus Christ led.

            In Matthew 5:16 (NIV) Jesus tells us, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1 NIV). Yet, “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Theses two scriptures seem contradictory, but the first speaks of our character and who we are as people. We need to shine the love of God into an ever increasingly dark world. We must love and be kind, show grace and mercy, when we would rather be angry, spiteful, vindictive, and prideful in our public lives.

            Where as in Matthew 6:1 (NIV) Jesus reminds us that our motives, our hearts must be aligned with His in our private lives as well. When we are giving to the church and those in need, praying for direction and fasting to seek His wisdom, that part of our lives is not to be before men, not to show others how “spiritual” we are, but to humbly come before God, our maker, redeemer, and provider of all things. A person who can abide in God and follow the teachings of the Word, will lead others in the right way and in the right direction because s/he will be guided by the Holy Spirit.
             We are all leaders, whether we chose the position or not, someone is following us. Are we guiding them down the path of righteousness or remorse?