Leadership and Power

Leadership and power go together. As a leader, you have the power to influence people. As you live into the responsibility of discovering and developing the potential of people, you learn how to use your power appropriately. You learn to influence people, not by controlling or micromanaging, but by giving your power and influence away. To be an effective and courageous leader, you learn to use your power to empower others.

When we look at the good news in Luke, we find that Jesus not only possessed the Holy Spirit, but he promised the Holy Spirit to his followers. As a Jesus follower, you have received power to be the leader God needs for this time and place in history.

This power shapes your values, character, and faith. It helps you become more aware of the people God gives you to love and to lead. And just as Jesus, you share your power with the people around you.

The question is “why?”

The Good News in Luke’s Perspective

When we study the good news of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, we find that the power is given to communicate beyond the barriers that separate people from one another.

As a Christ-centered leader, you have the power to lead people beyond the barriers that separate them from God’s love and from one another.

So, how does this power work?

Several months ago, I shared a series of blogs titled Leadership and Power. As I read them over, I realized that each blog in the series gives direction and support for you as a Christ-centered leader. If you have read them before, this is a good time to review them. If you have not read them, this will give you the direction and support you need to lead a movement of Jesus followers. The blogs in the series are listed below:

Leadership and Power – Part 1

Leadership and Power – Part 2

Leadership and Power – Part 3.

Reflecting on Power

Wow. We just did a study of the good news according to Luke. Now it is time to reflect upon how this power given to you is making a difference in your leadership.

Give God thanks for the people you met today. When did you have the opportunity to witness beyond a barrier or hindrance? Did you speak up when you had the opportunity to speak up on behalf of those who have been excluded or forgotten? How did you interact with the people God sent your way? What did you learn about yourself? Who is helping you remember that you are a child of God and that you have been empowered to love others as God has loved you? What will you do differently tomorrow? Ask God to give you the faith to be the leader God has created you to be.

Prayer

O God, today I give you thanks for life and work. I pray for the power to be your witness starting where I am now. Remind me throughout the day of how you love me and how you have empowered me to love the people around me. I offer myself to be the leader you need me to be in the name of Jesus. Amen