If I ever have to go to see a therapist, I’m pretty sure my 5th grade boy scout story would have some serious therapeutic implications.
The details are fuzzy but I remember feeling so disappointed and worthless when that other kid was picked over me to be the boy scout leader.
I wasn’t super passionate about winning the pine car derby race.
I wasn’t super passionate about obtaining badges for my awesome beige vest.
I wasn’t super dedicated to living the committed and sacrificial life of a 5th grade boy scout. I mean…most people don’t become an eagle scout until they are seniors in high school. Seven years to become an eagle scout? That’s too much time!
But deep down, I was super passionate about being a leader.
I had this ‘thing’ in me that just wanted to lead something or someone. I call it the ‘leadership thing.’
Fast forward, twenty years and I still haven’t been picked for any leadership roles but now I’m more content in God’s timing than I was in 5th grade. Don’t believe me? …read this blog.
Recently, leaders were chosen from within my squad to lead our group through the next 8 months. I was very excited for the people that were chosen to be squad leaders but many people were not as excited.
It got me thinking, what is a leader?
Just so we’re on the same page with who a leader is, I made a list of 5 people that I consider leaders. My hope is that in the very least you’re with me on more than half of this.
Number 1 person I consider a leader…
1. President Obama.
Don’t worry, this isn’t a political post. Regardless of where you stand politically, we should all be able to agree that in the very least, he’s a leader both in position and influentially.
2. Moses.
If leading 2 million people across the desert for 40 years doesn’t make you a leader then I don’t know what will.
3. Jack Bauer.
For those of you who don’t know who Jack is, let me put it this way. He’s the only reason you’re here today. Jack = the single greatest defender of our national security and pretty much the universe. He’s kind of like Chuck Norris on crack (for the old timers). I probably shouldn’t say crack on my blog. Sorry.
4. Apostle Paul.
Dude’s dead and yet he still leads millions everyday. Awesome. Alright, one more. I think this one will really surprise you.
5. You.
I know what you’re thinking. What? Me? On a list with Apostle Paul and the president? That’s crazy right? No, its not.
Now I know this is hard to believe and you might not see it and people around you might not. But the truth is You’re a leader!
I believe that ‘leadership thing’ is in all of us. I believe we were all made to lead something or someone.
But somehow we missed the memo and started to buy into this subtle lie that says you’re not a leader unless a large mass of people are following you.
I guess I understand where that comes from. It’s easier to think of a guy like Moses being a leader since he led millions. I get that.
But what we fail to realize is that the only reason Moses was able to lead millions was because a long time before him, a woman named Jochebed wasn’t concerned with the size of her platform. She was courageous to lead just one.
Jochebed was Moses’ mother. She didn’t write any books in the bible and you’ve probably never heard of her but if she didn’t take initiative in leading her son when he was born, we wouldn’t have a Moses.
See, that’s the part of the story no one ever talks about.
Behind every great leader of many is a great leader of one. Or two. Or ten.
These leaders might never win Time magazine’s person of the year award but in Gods story, they play as big a role as the guy in the limelight.
Don’t minimize the influence God has given you.
You may (or may not) get to lead from a very big and public platform. God determines that but everyone gets to play. Everyone gets to lead.
You are a leader and we need you to lead us.
Lead your church. Lead your kids. Lead your spouse. Lead your co-workers. Lead your band.
Lead your family. Leader your students. Lead your friends. Lead your church. Lead thousands. Lead one.
Just lead!
So please, tell me…
Where, who or what has God called you to lead? Where has he given you influence?
p.s. And please don’t act like you’re not good at anything. That’s not humility, it’s called being irresponsible.
