As a kid I was easily talked into doing anything! I was just always one of those guys that loved to get a laugh, a shock factor, and a second glance of "I can't believe he just did that!". In college, I ran into deadbolted doors for laughs, jumped off of 3rd story fire escapes, and tackled a security guard out of a golf cart. All of which were not the best of choices, but they accomplished my goal... to get a laugh or chuckle. Not to mention, I thought they were all pretty funny myself. I gave the scripture in 1 Corinthians "All things are lawful for me, not all things are profitable..." a very literal meaning!
As I've grown older I've matured and grown up, naturally. It's a natural progression. As I've worked in the ministry and been in leadership, I've learned a lot about leadership as well. As a young leader, my decisions/ideas were easily swayed or transitioned, simply because I wasn't as confident in my leadership decisions. Now, my above motives/decisions weren't detrimental to me... may not have been bright, but not detrimental. They were simply stupid.
As I read in Luke 23 the story of Jesus being brought before Pilate I see a leader that was trying. A leader that felt as if he had the tools, abilities, capabilities, and opportunities to be a great leader. Someone that had the chance to really lead people well. But, I see a leader that wasn't confident in his leadership skills. A leader that was scared, and listened a whole lot more to people than to God. A leader that was more infatuated with position than with progression. A leader that wasn't worried about doing the right thing, but the popular thing.
"But they were insistent, with loud voices asking that He be crucified. And their voices began to prevail. And Pilate pronounced sentence that their demand be granted." (Luke 23:23-24, NASB)
Their voices BEGAN TO PREVAIL... and he gave instructions THAT THEIR DEMAND BE GRANTED. A leader that is not confident in leading will always give in. That doesn't mean that leaders lead with an iron fist, comparable to a dictator. It means that a leader knows the direction and goal in which they are to achieve, and journey that road with those that follow.
Leaders too often give up. They give in. They give in to what seems to be the demands of their followers. They are FOLLOWERS because they are FOLLOWING your LEAD! Pilate wanted Jesus released, but the people did not. And because of that, the innocence of Christ hung on a humiliating and embarassing cross. The pure innocent Lamb was crucified to a death that only the worst criminals were to partake. Why? Yes because God the Father ordained it this way for our sacrifices... but also because Pilate wasn't a compotent or confident leader.
As you lead today, whether it's your ministry, family, classroom or other area of influence, lead with the confidence that God will not lead you astray. If God truly placed you in your area of influence, He's given you the ability to confidently follow Him, as others follow you! Lead today and lead with confidence. Your family WILL follow and so will others... all because leadership anointing attracts followers.
