Leadership

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When we understand what leadership really is, then we realize that throughout the Bible we find men and women whom God has called to inspire others, positively influence and motivate them to reach an objective. Let's see what leadership is.

LEADERSHIP IS: MOTIVATING AND INSPIRING OTHERS

Nehemiah is a great example of what motivation is through his leadership. First, he realized the need Jerusalem was going through. The wall of Jerusalem was broken down and its doors burned with fire (Nehemiah 1: 3). When he sees the need, he reacts in the way that God wants us to do in the face of any difficult situation. Nehemiah began to cry out to God, to fast and pray, he raised a fence of spiritual protection over Jerusalem, interceding and asking for forgiveness for the sins of others as if those of himself would be dealt with.

Being the king's cupbearer he had to pray that God would give him grace before the King and let him go to Jerusalem to do something to solve the problem that afflicted the people who were there. God gave him grace before the King and he gave him permission to go to Jerusalem.

The leader strives to achieve the goal that is proposed, sees no obstacles, always seeks the favor of God in prayer to fulfill its purpose.

Nehemiah with some men went to Jerusalem and they could see what had been said, their walls broken down and their doors burned with fire. It was at that moment that Nehemiah had to motivate and inspire the men who accompanied him to rebuild the walls. He testified to them how God had given him grace before the king to let him go and do the work. The men were motivated and seeing the support of God they were inspired and said: "Let us rise up and build." Thus they strained their hands for good (Nehemiah 2:18).

LEADERSHIP IS: GUIDE OTHERS

Throughout time, God established men and women to lead His people to victory. Moses was one of the greatest leaders that God raised. Leading a large town of hundreds of people, through the desert for forty years, was a great challenge.

Moses leaves us a powerful teaching. When God chooses a person to lead His people to His presence, to blessing and to victory, he must say what this great Leader said to God: "If your presence does not go with me, do not get us out of here." (Exodus 33:15) Moses wanted to be sure that God would be the true leader of the Israelite people, the one who would really guide all these people to the promised land. The leader must lead the people to the blessing of God.

During the time of the Judges God also used people who will lead the people to victory (Judges 2:16). Some of them were: Othniel, Aod, Samgar, Deborah and Barak, Gideon, Tola and fair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon and Abdon, and Samson. The leader must lead the people to victory, to freedom.

PROCURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE

Within a true Christian and spiritual leadership it is sought that the people in our charge develop, grow and know for what God has created them. An example of this was David.

"David went from there, fled to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father's house knew it, they came to him there. And all the afflicted, and all who were in debt, and all who were in bitterness of spirit, and were made chief of [them]; and he had about four hundred men with him "(1 Samuel 22: 2).

Imagine that they take you to a place where everyone is afflicted, indebted, bitter, troubled, full of thousands of problems and that they spend complaining every moment. David lived it, and it was a great challenge for him to be the leader of them and move them forward. At first I saw them as having the face of evil, like roaring lions, "My life is among lions; I am lying among children of men who vomit flames; his teeth are spears and arrows, and his tongue sharp sword "(Psalm 57: 4).

However, God showed them that they needed help, someone to guide them and help them in their personal development, so he could see that they were not so fearful. "The young lions need, and they are hungry; but those who seek Jehovah will not lack any good. Come children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord "(Psalm 34: 10-11). David took up the challenge of teaching them the fear of Jehovah, taking them and training them so that their lives would change. From this group came the so famous "brave David".

THE KEY IS IN THE SERVICE

Jesus gave us the key to success in leadership. Being a leader or going forward does not mean we have to send, just give orders and expect people to react and do it. When Jesus announced his death at the Last Supper with his disciples, he could see the arrogance, pride, envy and ego of the disciples when discussing who it was that was going to stay in charge of the leadership that Jesus would leave.

Jesus taught them that whoever wants to be greater, should be the least, the servant of others, "... I am among you as the one who serves" (Luke 22:27). Only in this way can we inspire, motivate and guide others, with our example and way of serving. "And whatever you do, do it with your heart, as for the Lord and not for men" (Colossians 3:23). Jesus is our greatest example to follow when it comes to leadership, our goal is to be like him. Paul said: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11: 1).