Leadership

17 Feb

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” ~ John C. Maxwell

This week, we celebrate Presidents’ Day. Originally derived from the celebration of the birthdays of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and others, it has morphed into a celebration of all of our Presidents. As our country was established, our Founding Fathers looked to what would be the best model of government. They wanted to be able to surface leaders who would keep the country intact and going in a certain direction.

Leadership is an important quality for a president to have. That person must, indeed, know the way, go the way, and show the way. If that person succeeds in doing so, the people will rally around that leader. If not, they will look for another.

Leadership is not only important in presidents, leadership is important in our faith. We need leaders who know the way, go the way, and show the way. People like St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Teresa of Calcutta quickly come to mind when I think about this definition of leadership. They knew the way and traveled the way daily. At great cost and, perhaps, even in great peril, they would follow the Lord. Not only that, they would invite others to come with them on their journey to the Kingdom.

That same quality of leadership is something that each and every one of us is called to emulate. Jesus challenges us to know the way, go the way, and show the way. He did the same. In His life, Jesus knew the way to His Father. He knew the way was to teach, to love, and to serve God’s people.

Knowing the way, though, is only the beginning. We can all know where we must go. We have to put that knowledge into action. We must go the way. Jesus did just that. In going the way, He brought word of His Father to many people as He instructed and healed those who came to Him. He told them God’s love was real by word and deed.

In doing so, Jesus showed His followers what must be done. His teaching was basic and loving. At the same time, it was very specific, “As I have done, so you must do.” He showed His followers that they must be ready, at all times, to do the work of God.

It is incumbent upon us to continue that mission of Jesus. We already know the way. Jesus has made the way very clear to us. He is the way. We must go His way in order to be able to show the way to those who have not yet had the opportunity to hear about God and His great love for us all.

FAITH ACTION: Ask God to give you the gifts that you need in order to be the best leader of the faith as you can be for your family and friends. Do not be afraid to show the way to others.