Leading with an Impact: Part 2

Some of the greatest leaders in history did not shy away from conflict. Winston Churchill, knowing that the nation was at war, stepped in to be a leader even though he knew it would be a challenging position. Joshua became the leader of the Israelites because Moses was not allowed into the Promised Land. Now Israel is looking for a leader. In Joshua’s eyes he was put in a position to lead when Israel was faced with conquering all of the inhabitants of the Promised Land. Not any easy task by any means. Yet he did it willingly and had the boldness to do so.

Leadership is not simply being older than others, or more experienced than others. Leaders are willing to make tough choices. Did you know that witnessing sin, and not doing anything about it, is not leadership? Did you know that just because you don’t participate, that doesn’t make you a leader either? Confronting sin can be hard, but leaders will confront sin lovingly when brought to their attention.

Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Are you willing to confront sin lovingly at the expense of being thought of as weird, or maybe losing a friend? The loving and impactful thing to do is step up and be the one that stops the sin.

When I was in High School my Youth Pastor wanted me to be a leader in the youth group so I said okay. One night two guys were joking about things they should not have been joking about and I sat and watched but did not participate, thinking that I was being a leader by not doing the same thing. I saw my youth Pastor walk towards them and in my mind I thought “boy their going to get it now.” My Youth Pastor walked right through them and straight to me and said, “Why aren’t you doing something about this? You said you would be a leader!” The Lord used that in my life to convict me. To be a leader with impact for Christ, you have to be willing to make hard choices. Are you a leader?