My name is Julie Crane. I was
born in the spring of 1957, the youngest of eight, in small town USA to parents
of meager means. I squeaked through school with a C- average. Quiet. Shy.
Lacked vision, purpose, goals. Was in and out of jobs, relationships and places
to live. Not a real stellar resume …
But I am here to talk to you
about leaders – not people like me.
We all know what leaders look
like. They take charge – that’s a spirit of initiative. They are able to
imagine what might be and do whatever has to be done to get things done – that’s the ability
to take risks. They may seem to be more
knowledgeable, more advanced, more successful, even more superior – which causes them to have a sense of responsibility
over others with less knowledge and experience. These qualities seem to come
naturally.
But there are also some
desired qualities we would like to see in our leaders. People who are real,
genuine. True whether others are watching or not. And generous with their time
and talents. Who understand the value and importance and impact of their actions upon others.
I’ll bet you’re thinking
leaders need to be extroverts. Real go-getters. Confident. Determined. Focused.
Charismatic. Plus knowledgeable and experienced.
Show of hands, how many of us
have all the qualities I’ve listed so far? How many of us feel able to fill the
shoes of … (gulp) LEADER?
So, let’s take a look at some
biblical leaders:
Like Moses – Exodus 4:10
But Moses
said to the Lord,
“O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that
you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”
Exodus 4:10
Maybe we better look at a
KING.
Uh, let’s try: King Saul – 1
Samuel 9:21
Saul answered,
“I am only a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel, and my family
is the humblest of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. Why then have you
spoken to me in this way?” 1 Samuel 9:21
Hmmm … let us look at King
DAVID – 1 Samuel 16:10-13
10 Jesse made
seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not
chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your
sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the
sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down
until he comes here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was
ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise
and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13 Then Samuel took the
horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit
of the Lord
came mightily upon David from that day forward. 1 Samuel 16:10-13
Hmmm … the youngest of eight;
(pause) the
least of all clans might mean from a family of meager means … and slow in
speech may have caused him to carry a C- average.
What does this tell us about
what Christian leaders are made of?
Christian leaders are
equipped by God - regardless of human characteristics. Were you thinking you
don’t have the right stuff for a leadership position? Guess what. Doesn’t
matter.
Peter steps out of a boat and
walks on water. 2000 years later, we remember that, knowing the same Jesus
calls us out of the safe and familiar. God equips those who respond to God’s
call.
We’ve all heard the saying:
God doesn’t call the equipped, but equips the called. Really? Where is that in the bible? Well, I found it ...
make you complete in everything good so that you may
do his will, working among us[a] that which is pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews
13:21
so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient,
equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17
Christian leaders are ones
called to lead others to the knowledge of Christ through the words and actions given them by God’s Holy Spirit residing
within them (given
them … by God). By the power of Christ within, any one can LEAD others to the knowledge of Christ and His love. (pause through this paragraph)
Hebrews 11 lists numerous
faith heroes of the bible: Abraham in faith, obeyed God and went even though he
did not know where he was going. And there are others. Verse 13 says “All these people were still living by faith
when they died.” Wow! I want to live like that. Faith in God no matter what
comes my way. Until the day I die.
The verse goes on to say: Considered Him (meaning God) – faithful Who made the promise. What
promise? How about, I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS. And I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR
FORSAKE YOU.
A living faith of Hope. Love.
Humility. It’s what Abraham’s story is showing us. That’s putting all your eggs
in one basket – God’s basket. Counting on God for all that is needed.
Christian leaders keep
walking with the Lord. They don’t stop in the midst of fear, doubt, or temptation.
“Get behind me, Satan!” I’m moving on. I’m sticking with God! I will worship with
all my heart. I will continue to learn about God through study. I will go and
do as God calls me into action.
Christian leadership is about
setting the example. Talking the talk. Walking the walk. AND falling the fall.
And getting back up. Everyone falls from time to time. Leaders get back up. Again and again. Micah 7:8 Though I have fallen, I will rise …
Living in such a way truly shapes the lives in the world around them.
And it’s also about stay
and be still when God says to do so – even when all around you says, “Go!
Go! Go! and “Do! Do! Do!”
Leaders show how to be a
servant. (Won’t you let me be your
servant? Let me be as Christ to you.)… Again, set the example. Live life in
such a way that others see you: 1) seeking God, 2) hearing God, 3) listening to
God, 4) obeying God. Show that you know the difference between Godly callings
and worldly callings. And speaking of callings …
Earlier in my talk I
referenced a few Old Testament leaders.
Here is something I found in
the New Testament. More leaders. Of the first century church. Peter and John
were out spreading the gospel story of Christ risen from the dead. They ended
up in jail several times over that. And they even healed a man.
When questioned by the chief
priests and rulers about this healing, they responded,
It is by the power of Jesus’
name that you see this man today – completely healed. (pause)
Then listen to what it says
next, in Acts 4:13 –
Now when they
saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and
ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus. Acts
4:13
… they had been with Jesus …
it was obvious.
Christ is counting on you to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. To become an instrument of His peace and redeeming love for all the world. An instrument is defined as something used to make something happen; to achieve a result. God has a plan and purpose for your everyday life.
So, this now middle aged
woman who began life the youngest of eight (like David), in meager means (like
King Saul), and with a pitiful educational background (like Moses, Peter and
John)) … whatever became of her and her story?
Well, today she is happily
married to her pastor-husband Scott, serving in a quaint little village church.
By God’s grace and God’s equipping, she designs, sends, and sells notecards for
those who need love and support. By God’s inspiration, she writes a blog of
Christian encouragement and has recently published a devotional book. By God’s
empowerment she is able to stand before all of you to do this talk. She worships God every morning with devotions
and prayer . She both attends and teaches Sunday School classes. And as the
Lord leads and equips, she lives a life of love. She is a leader. More
importantly, (don’t miss this …) she is a follower… of Christ.
One last point I want to
make.
… the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They
will not follow a stranger…
(says John 10)
You are not called to be like
the person ahead of you. Or next to you. Some do morning devotions. Some are
called to evening prayers. Some are writers, some photograph God’s beauty in
nature; others cook up enjoyable meals; others knit hats and mittens; still
others work in a food pantry or sing in a choir – ALL to the glory of God. This
isn’t about “I wanna be just like her.” Or “I can’t possibly be like that”. For
we are, each one of us, called to follow – the voice of Christ alone.
Be the example God calls you
to be for the world around you. By the power of Christ within, in the power of
His Name, anyone can LEAD others to
the knowledge of Christ and His love.
My brothers and sister in
Christ, God loves you and so do I!
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