This is the weekly email devotional of WhoUWith? Ministries
(2004)
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"You will either be an example, or you
will be an excuse." -James Mitchell
I was on a retreat this past
weekend and heard a football player, from a university I would rather not
mention, share about how their team chaplain is always telling them that they
will either be an example, or an excuse. How true this is for each of
us!!
There are not just followers and leaders, but there are "example"
leaders and "excuse" leaders. Let me see if I can explain. Example leaders are
the more obvious of the two types of leadership. They're usually admired by
their peers because they possess the qualities of character, integrity and
commitment that followers, and yes-even excuse leaders, would like to attain.
Excuse leaders are the ones that followers use to excuse their own
lack of character, integrity and commitment. For instance, if the excuse leader
makes a commitment, but only sees it halfway through, then the follower has no
motivation to finish the task without him. This kind of leader is very
dangerous because his decisions are based solely on his own selfish desires and
he rarely takes into account those that are following.
What does
God’s Word say?:
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold
nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are
lukewarm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:15-16
Those seem like strong words from a
loving God, but I think it sends a clear message that God expects each of us to
be an example and not an excuse. Do you really think God likes all the games we
play with Him? Do think He enjoys our lack of commitment?
What have you
done lately to be an excuse leader? Have those around you missed out on being
all that God wants them to be because you gave them an "excuse"...an easy way
out?
Why not be an example leader this week? Make the decision that
taking the easy road is not for you any more. That if anyone follows you they
will be going in the right direction because you have decided to follow the
ultimate example leader...Jesus!
Just a thought!
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