THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP

 

There are some among us who have the natural gifting of leadership. This does not make them more significant than others, just different in gifting.

But there are others who are followers of Christ who, along with their natural abilities, have been given the spiritual gift of leadership at their salvation. A spiritual gift is a “God-given ability for service.”

PETER

… had this natural and spiritual gifting. This is obvious for he always led. After Jesus crucifixion and resurrection, the disciples were not with Christ constantly. They were aimless a bit until they had received their commission and the coming of the Holy Spirit to give them power.

So one day we read this travelogue:

“I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.  (Jn 21:3)

The disciples looked at each other and said:

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. (Jn 21:3)

A leader leads often without even thinking. He decides what to do and begins to move there. And you can tell if they are a leader by looking behind them and seeing if people follow. Some lead better, more prayerfully or boldly than others. But leaders lead, and good leaders are followed.

GOOD LEADERS FOLLOW JESUS

The disciples had followed Peter fishing but had caught nothing. But suddenly Jesus appeared on the seashore and instructed them, which yielded a great catch. When the discerning apostle, John, realized it was the Lord and told Peter, Peter jumped in the water and swam to shore, and the boat followed (because he was a leader).

When Jesus instructed them to bring in some of the fish we read:

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. So Simon Peter climbed up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.  (Jn 21:9–11)

Without an ounce of hesitation, Peter followed the Lord’s instructions. No one else seemed to move but him. That’s because leaders don’t point the way, they lead the way. It’s what leaders do.

Are you leader? If you want to become a great and godly leader, then follow Jesus. He is always headed in the right direction, and He will lead you in “all the right paths for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

Are you a leader? Then lead! Don’t deny your gifting. You have been placed with others and given a sphere of leadership to help those around you and glorify God in your leadership. But if you want to be a great leader, follow Jesus!