As part of our Connections Ministry here at Oak Leaf, I give a lot of oversight as to how we develop leaders.

What should they be learning? Who is mentoring them? Where are they drawing their strength from? Who are they raising up to take their place? And the list goes on and on.

But in all of that, what I have come to realize over the years is that everyone is a leader. If God has called you out of a sinful life then he has made you an heir to His throne.

“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
Romans 8:16 &17 NASB
Okay, so if you are an heir to the throne of God, wouldn’t that almost necessitate that you are called to lead others to Him? It says we are “fellow” heirs with Christ. Now that’s huge – I mean, we are associated with the Messiah! That’s no small boat to be put in.

I bet many of you do not look at yourselves that way. Let’s take a look at this for a moment.

  • Fathers and mothers – you know they are leaders. If you are a parent, you are called to lead your children to their own relationships with God.
  • The work place – you lead by example, by the morals you live by and work ethics.
  • Serving in a group at church (whether in a leadership position or not) – you lead by putting your best foot forward because you know what it means to “lead people from where they are to where God wants them to be.”
  • People married to a non-believer – you lead not by nagging but by living a life that’s honoring to God.

Everywhere you are, you are in a constant leadership role. People are watching you because of who you are.

So what are you learning? Who do you have as a mentor? Where do you draw your spiritual strength from? Because whether you hold the title of leader or not, if you are a Follower of Jesus you have no choice but to lead.

Do you accept this choice to lead or are you still running from it?

-Jody