Born to Lead
January 6, 2007 |
I’ve spent most of my life in leadership. I led my little sister in shenanigans for years. I led my friends on the playground and my fellow students in the classroom. I was captain of my cross-country team in high school and served on Student Senate in college. I was on the student leadership team for my church youth group and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. But I never thought about leadership until I was an adult. I behaved as a leader because God had given me a leadership gift and called me to use it. It was natural for me. I found places to lead without setting out to do so.
In my career I define myself as a leader because I carry formal leadership responsibilities. Because leadership is in my job description, I’m sometimes tempted to think of leadership as simply something I do at work, just another job responsibility. If I weren’t getting paid to lead others, it might not be so easy for me to see how God has called me to use my leadership gift.
Some of you find yourselves in that position: You feel you have the gift of leadership, but you don’t have a formal title or role that designates you as a leader. Does that mean you aren’t called to lead? Of course not!
If you have the gift of leadership, you probably are leading somehow, whether you know it or not. (If you have not fully accepted your gift, you may even be leading in destructive ways—but that’s a topic for another article.) If you’re in step with the Holy Spirit, your gift will demand to find expression.
If you don’t have a formal leadership role, you may feel frustrated that you’re unable to meet a recognized need for your leadership gift. But that doesn’t mean you should sit around, waiting for someone else to grant you the right to lead. God has already given you that responsibility. So find a place to lead—or accept the leadership role he’s already given you.
Maybe your leadership is at home, corralling kids and their friends and busy family schedules, bringing order to what could easily be chaos. Maybe you have the opportunity to lead a community organization. Look around—is there a cause waiting for a champion? Perhaps you can rally volunteers from your church. When was the last time you said, “Someone ought to do something”? Maybe that someone is you. Be an activist, an agent for change, a voice for truth, a visionary.
If you don’t have a formal leadership role, you face an exciting opportunity. If God has given you the gift of leadership, he wants to use you somewhere. Look for those natural opportunities to lead, the way you probably did when you were growing up—you don’t need a fancy title. Open your eyes, and ask God to use you where you are.
Amy Simpson is Executive Editor of Resources at Christianity Today International.
Posted by Amy Simpson on January 6, 2007
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Comments
I could relate to your conviction that you were born to lead. Another clue that I have the gift of leadership is that I was always thrust into leadership roles. It seems others saw it in me too.
Posted by: JoHannah on January 10, 2007
I would also like to add that at time, we are put into leadership roles that we feel completely uncomfortable with, and it is not until some time down the road, that we realize what a blessing that call has been. I have always felt called to help other women. About a year ago, the Lord called me to work with the youth in my church. Right now, my class is 6th to 8th grade girls. I never saw it coming, but am really enjoying getting to be a part of who they will become.
Posted by: Carmen on January 10, 2007
The gift tests usually only point to leadership as a gift if we answer questions that have to do with how effective we've been, for example: do you find you are effective in motivating others to follow a plan?
Now that I'm teaching a class, the gift of "teaching" has now appeared as a top gift. So I wonder if I were given the opportunity to lead if that would spring forth?
Many of us haven't been given opportunities to demonstrate our leadership abilities.
I've often been in situations where the positions have been filled by other capable people. I may offer myself or share discoveries only to find there seems to be leadership "hogs" that don't invite and develop the rest of us, or make room for our yearnings. I've also had to job relocate with my husband so each time have to "re-prove" myself. My present church requires you attend for a full year before some positions and 2 years for others! In the meantime, I keep starting over and feel my gifts lie dormant!
I'm glad you are pointing out we be leaders of our children. I'm still yearning to be used in broader ways. I feel I've always had that gift and a deep yearning to pioneer, and bolster structures especially relating to people, the church and various ministries.
Some say God does the promotion and I hope that is the case rather than me being too tentative or people getting in the way.
Posted by: Rosalie on January 12, 2007
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"thrust into leadership roles"
LOL. That's how it can feel at times. Sometimes, I just enjoy staying in the background, but I get very antsy after awhile. That's when I end up in the leadership role, or giving advice to the leadership about leading. Funny, too, I don't always ask to be the leader. I see a need, speak, and things happen.
Posted by: Marie on July 12, 2007