Lead On

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

1 TIMOTHY 4:12

ARE YOU A LEADER? Why or why not?

Chances are, you’ve been chosen by a teacher or other adult to lead at some point. Or perhaps you’re a natural leader. Maybe you automatically step into the role and take charge. You instinctively know what to do and how to do it. Or . . . maybe not. Maybe you feel uncertain and assume no one will listen to you.

We’re all leaders in different ways. We may not end up being the big boss, but we can lead in other ways. We lead younger siblings when we take care of them. We lead friends when we give them advice about how to handle certain situations. We lead classmates when we don’t participate in bad behavior or when we show kindness to the new kid. We even lead by praying for others. Leading doesn’t always mean being up front and calling the shots.

God wants us to be leaders in our everyday lives. He sent Jesus to be our leader, and Jesus showed his disciples something unexpected. Yes, he led them by showing them what to do, but he also knelt down and served them by washing their feet. In God’s view, a leader is there to serve the people he or she leads. So lead others in the way you act and honor God through your choices. And serve the people you’d like to lead. Be a leader by being a servant first.

DO

Think of your regular group of friends. Pray for each of them individually every day this week. Ask God to help them with the problems they face.

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for making me a leader in my own way. Remind me to make good choices and be a good example to others. And remind me that Jesus shows us that to lead means to serve. Show me ways to serve the people I lead. Amen.

READ

Mark 10:42-45; Philippians 2:3