In society, we tend to categorize people as either leaders or followers. We start when they are very young. We watch toddlers, and even they exhibit the ability to attract other toddlers to follow them. They are out front, doing their thing, while other toddlers watch and mimic what they have done. We pick out leaders in every aspect of life. Family, work, church, and social settings are all venues for sizing up people and their roles in the group. While many will say they are not a leader, that they would rather sit in the shadows, do the work, and let someone else take the credit, I submit that we are all leaders.
If we have anyone we are in contact with, there is someone watching and following them. A mom or dad has children who watch what they do from birth. Toddlers mimic what they see; that’s how they learn. At work, someone is paying attention to not only how you do your job, but also the attitude and effort you place on your task. What you do, and how you do it, says much about who you are. We all need to be careful about the attitude we bring to our day-to-day lives.
The greatest leader of all time is Jesus. We see in scripture that people followed Him wherever he went. Some followed because they loved Him and wanted to be near Him. They wanted to be like Him and learn from Him. They followed him immediately.
Matthew 4:19 “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway (immediately) left their nets and followed him.”
All the disciples followed, asking questions and learning from Him. All became leaders, leading people to Jesus, even Judas. He was the one who led the soldiers to arrest Jesus. He, too, was a leader, but he led others the wrong way.
Who are you following today? Do you seek to follow those who can give you beauty advice so you can be more appealing to those in the world? Are you following those who seem to be popular and live a life that appeals to the flesh? What are your dreams and aspirations for the future? Those dreams will tell you a lot about who you truly are.
If you are a Christian, your ultimate leader is Jesus, but you also need to pick out other Christians that you can learn from. While you are following and learning, you will be teaching all who watch you.
If we are to lead like Christ, we will lead by serving. Jesus gave us that example in John 13:3-8. After he had his last meal with His disciples, he proceeded to pour water into a basin and wash his disciples’ feet. This was a task that was always left to the servants. Peter profoundly proclaimed that Jesus would not wash His feet! Peter understood His unworthiness, and his high esteem and love for Jesus couldn’t comprehend the Master washing His feet.
John 13:3-8 “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”
Jesus not only washed their feet but also instructed them to follow His example and wash one another’s feet. He left that instruction to us as well.
John 13:13-15 “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
We need to take time to think. We need to think about who we are as followers and who we are as leaders. As we look at Jesus and learn from Him, others are watching us. Do they see us following closely, seeking to know more about how to be like the Master? Do they hear us talking and loving the way He loves? If those watching us follow in our footsteps, where will it lead them? Think about it!
