In today's world, we live within a culture influenced by racism, corrupt politicians, and a hypersensitivity that shrouds hearts of indifference. Where compassion is mistake for acceptance, and acceptance is mistaken as compassion. We live in a world that favors progressivism, yet finds itself in moral stagnation.
As Christians, we're automatically sworn in as royalty, leaders and influencers. We are called to a life of activism, compassion, mercy and grace, while also bringing forth the truth in love. This is our responsibility not because we carry the term "Christian" but because of who we are in Christ. Once we're baptized in the Holy Spirit, we go from a loved creation to a beloved son or daughter of God.
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God..."
2 Corinthians 6:18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
See also: Romans 8:16; John 1:12-13
This family privilege comes with weight, with responsibility, and with a call. Within this identity of sons and daughters, we ought to view ourselves as followers of Christ, but as leaders of others. This is said with a heart that believes leaders are, in nature, to be the greatest servants of others.
Mark 9:35 "And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Therefore, as leaders, we bear great responsibility. The responsibility to carry the name of Jesus well, which ultimately means to love people and love them sacrificially. The responsibility to die to ourselves daily so others can live.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In our relationship with Jesus, to bring forth life in those who cross our paths is our ultimate purpose. It's common to believe that being a leader is being someone who sits beside, teaches, yet is unavailable in perfection to the people they are leading. It's easy to fall into the torrent of idealism and expectations that come alongside positions of leadership. It is easy to go from becoming a shepherd to being the executioner.
This is why it is important for us, in positions of leadership, to be available. To be vulnerable. To be present. It is of the upmost importance that we are more concerned with the well-being of others under our care more so than of the opinions of spectators.
In a world ridden with opinions, it's easy to try to change the world with our own. But, rather than using our voices the primary catalyst, why don't we challenge ourselves daily as leaders by our actions and examples? By letting our lives and our way with people speak louder and more often than our words. As leaders, we are a work of art... Of creativity, and we should take that into consideration as we morph ourselves into the example of truth rather than solely speaking it. In no way am I saying that our voices carry no weight. The greatest writers, preachers, and poets prove otherwise. What I'm portraying is a picture that in a world drowning in a sea of voices and silent actions, we can be the light amongst a shadowed people. A visible version of the truth. A visible, present day, personification of love.
Jesus is love, and the truth is Jesus, and His truth is to love people. To love them well.
Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
1 Corinthians 16:14 "Let all that you do be done in love."
As Christians, we're automatically sworn in as royalty, leaders and influencers. We are called to a life of activism, compassion, mercy and grace, while also bringing forth the truth in love. This is our responsibility not because we carry the term "Christian" but because of who we are in Christ. Once we're baptized in the Holy Spirit, we go from a loved creation to a beloved son or daughter of God.
Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God..."
2 Corinthians 6:18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
See also: Romans 8:16; John 1:12-13
This family privilege comes with weight, with responsibility, and with a call. Within this identity of sons and daughters, we ought to view ourselves as followers of Christ, but as leaders of others. This is said with a heart that believes leaders are, in nature, to be the greatest servants of others.
Mark 9:35 "And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Therefore, as leaders, we bear great responsibility. The responsibility to carry the name of Jesus well, which ultimately means to love people and love them sacrificially. The responsibility to die to ourselves daily so others can live.
Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In our relationship with Jesus, to bring forth life in those who cross our paths is our ultimate purpose. It's common to believe that being a leader is being someone who sits beside, teaches, yet is unavailable in perfection to the people they are leading. It's easy to fall into the torrent of idealism and expectations that come alongside positions of leadership. It is easy to go from becoming a shepherd to being the executioner.
This is why it is important for us, in positions of leadership, to be available. To be vulnerable. To be present. It is of the upmost importance that we are more concerned with the well-being of others under our care more so than of the opinions of spectators.
In a world ridden with opinions, it's easy to try to change the world with our own. But, rather than using our voices the primary catalyst, why don't we challenge ourselves daily as leaders by our actions and examples? By letting our lives and our way with people speak louder and more often than our words. As leaders, we are a work of art... Of creativity, and we should take that into consideration as we morph ourselves into the example of truth rather than solely speaking it. In no way am I saying that our voices carry no weight. The greatest writers, preachers, and poets prove otherwise. What I'm portraying is a picture that in a world drowning in a sea of voices and silent actions, we can be the light amongst a shadowed people. A visible version of the truth. A visible, present day, personification of love.
Jesus is love, and the truth is Jesus, and His truth is to love people. To love them well.
Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
1 Corinthians 16:14 "Let all that you do be done in love."