LEADING OTHERS
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Ephesians 6:9 (NIV)
Leading others is difficult. You must manage diverse personalities and handle difficult situations. Some workers are easier to love and work with than others, but we must work with them all. There shouldn't be any favoritism or anger in your dealings, but sometimes that creeps in.
I had a job once where my manager played favorites. He had a couple of people in the department who fawned over him, got away with things and didn't have to do as much work as the rest of us. He would walk around at closing time telling everyone what to do and always had at least one of his favorites walking with him, not doing a thing. This did nothing but engender bad feelings among the employees, so most wanted to be in another department. I eventually moved to another department and had a manager that was much easier to deal with.
As leaders, we should always strive to lead like Christ. Some people don't consider themselves leaders, but we all lead in some capacity—at work, home, church or through volunteering. Others are watching how we treat people and lead. Do they see Christ in us, or do they see pride and anger?
God is our perfect example of leadership. He shows no favoritism, loves us, corrects us when we sin and offers forgiveness. Jesus demonstrated this throughout His ministry, investing in His disciples and loving people regardless of who they were.
Our leadership should reflect Christ in ways others want to follow. When people see Jesus in how we lead, we can encourage them to grow in their faith and become Christ-like leaders themselves, influencing others along the way.
APPLICATION: Every day, look around you and see who you are leading and who is watching you lead. Evaluate your leadership to make sure you're not being harsh and are being fair. Use Jesus' example of leadership to help people grow and follow Christ.
PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your Son, Jesus. Help me to remember His example each day of my life. Show me those around me who are following my leadership and help me to see them and love them as You do. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?