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For a few weeks now, I have been thinking about my life & influence on others. I especially want that my life impact my family in a positive & godly fashion. I am the third generation of believers in our family. My Gram was an Italian immigrant that found Jesus & blazed the way. She lived a life of belief & faith. Mom was next, following in Gram’s footsteps of faith & imparted to us godly principles by which to live & honor God. And me. I do not want to drop that baton in this relay race of life & faith. I now have children, in-law children & granddaughters that I want to see carry on a strong belief in a God that does the impossible & blesses His children in unexpected & delightful ways.

It came as no surprise to me that in the midst of my tossing this around in my head, I should read the following by John C. Maxwell from his book, The 5 Levels Of Leadership:

If you can develop solid relationships with people and you can produce, you can be an effective leader.

Productive leaders are an example to the people they lead, and their productivity sets the standard for the team. President Abraham Lincoln recognized this. During the American Civil War, the president relieved General John C. Fremont of his command. He said it was for this reason: “His cardinal mistake is that he isolates himself and allows no one to see him.” Lincoln knew that leaders need to be among their people, inspiring them with their ability, letting them see what the standard should be for their performance. When leaders produce, so do their people. Productive leaders thrive on results – from themselves and the team. They show the way and others follow.

(pages139-140)

In a nutshell, as parents (& leaders), we must live with authenticity. When others see positive results & the outcome of pursuing God, they will also want to join the pursuit. It is possible for our lives to display the benefits of our faith in a way that bears clarity & thus is compelling. to do that, we need to be with them. Spend time with them. Let them see our struggles, our failures, our answers to prayers & our successes.  The manner in which Jesus lived out His life is a perfect example.

He called the 12 – His closest followers, the disciples. He spent time with them 24/7. They ate together, traveled together, had discussions, prayed together. He poured His life into them. They did life together. Jesus modeled for them on a daily basis exactly what discipleship should be. Why?

So that when He was gone, they would be able to carry on. They, in turn, would be able to model & mentor others. They would be successful in passing the baton.

The principle worked in Scripture….I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. (2 Timothy 1:5 NLT).

From this Scripture, I learn that I must do two things:

  1. I must have genuine faith and….
  2. I must share my faith

This is how faith will continue on. It is then that faith will be contagious.

So today may we live in such a way that shows the way. And may they follow!

Leadership

 

*I might be linked with any of these great blogs today.