Shepherd Leadership
This is an important concept for me to understand. I feel like I have so much growing to do in this area. Leadership is the act of leading people or an organization. I have responsibilities to lead the Real Estate Firm where I’m also a partner. Some days I feel the weight of leadership and other days I feel like it comes naturally. I desire the Lord’s direction in my leadership role every single day, in every single decision – no matter how big or small.
I believe leaders have to think with a “big picture” mentality. They must see the “forest and the trees”. I must be concerned and seek to encourage the weakest person in the organization as well as praise and inspire the strongest person in the organization.
Ezekiel was the mouthpiece of the Lord and the Lord addresses leadership by speaking to the shepherds. He speaks in figurative terms but he’s addressing the leaders of Israel. He clearly speaks to accountability of the leaders. He basically removes them from leading His sheep and actually punishes the leaders for their lack of leadership. He then becomes the leader of the sheep. Check this out….
11 “‘This is what the Lord God says: I, myself, will search for my sheep and take care of them. 12 As a shepherd takes care of his scattered flock when it is found, I will take care of my sheep. I will save them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 22 So I will save my flock; they will not be hurt anymore. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 Then I will put over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and tend them and be their shepherd. 24 Then I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David will be a ruler among them. I, the Lord, have spoken. (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 22-24 NCV)The Lord God is the Ultimate Leader. I believe all leaders should follow The Leader. The Lord sees the Big Picture like no one else. I believe that leadership is a skill to be learned as well as a gift. I’ve seen gifted leaders and I’ve seen leaders that were raised up and studied the art of leading.
I am the leader of my little flock called my family. I could not be more thankful that my children know the Lord. I continue to pray for them daily even though my leadership influences decreases as they begin life on their own and become leaders in their own lives and circles of influence. Leadership in God’s economy is pretty simple – I follow Him and lead others to follow Him. As I lead others, I’m also a helper on His behalf. I can become the hands and feet of Jesus to others. God will lead me in leadership if I will listen and honor Him with my obedience. He will speak wisdom into my heart and mind as I listen and learn from Him. He is the Source of ALL WISDOM and DISCERNMENT, which are two very necessary characteristics of a leader. If the leader is following the Lord closely, then the Lord becomes the CEO, President, Principle Owner, Board Chairman – the LEADER of the leader. He fits that role perfectly – I must walk daily in my role as a follower/leader – in that order!
Pressing On! Dwayne