Who wants to be a leader? Everyone would like to be a leader, and somehow, we are all leaders, albeit in various capacities and positions. A leader shows the way and influences their followers. For example, Jesus Christ is our leader as Christians; the early disciples were called Christians initially because they had the influence and fragrance of Christ. A husband is the leader of the marriage, his wife and children. Both husband and wife are the leaders of their family; both spouses will influence children and they will follow their leading. Therefore, leadership exist in various forms, and it is one of the areas most people forget to develop or consider in life and marriage. Leadership is influence, and it is very different from management. A leader is different from a boss because a boss wants the job done, while a leader seeks to influence and empower people to make their own decision, do their work without being forced or coerced. We often do not focus on love when we address leadership, whether at home, work, or in the world generally.
A leader shows the way and influences their followers.
However, looking through history, the most outstanding leaders sacrificed their lives to help their followers. They laid down their lives, comfort and freedom so that many other people can be free, fulfilled and empowered. Our most extraordinary and unrivalled example is Jesus Christ, our Lord. He gave up His throne in heaven and became one of us. He washed his disciples’ feet, forgave the sinners, ate with the outcast, healed the lepers, and so many miracles. Famous world leaders like Nelson Mandela, Dr Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi gave up their lives and freedom to lead others to victory. Any attempt at leading without love and sacrifice is nothing short of a clanging cymbal, irrespective of other qualities such as resourcefulness, courage, charisma, self-discipline etc.
Are you a loving leader in your home?
Are you a loving leader in your home? As a spouse, are you leading your partner and children with love or with fear? Some people at home are the lion of the tribe of family. Their disposition is to create fear in the hearts of their partners and children. Research and the Bible have shown that the best and most excellent way to lead is to love the followers. Love is occupied with developing others and bringing out the best in them without fear of feeling less important. Many people think leadership is essential; being puffed up with power, egotistic, and above the law; they believe as a leader they are above everyone else. They can do and undo, and no one may correct or advise them. That is not leadership at all. Some people see leadership as other people-pleasing them, making sure no one else has a voice, and they know it all.
Love is occupied with developing others and bringing out the best in them without fear of feeling less important.
Leaders are secure; they know they are free but subject themselves to serving and developing their followers. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:14-15 sums up what it takes to be a leader ” I will mostly spend and be spent for your souls”. 1 Cor. 9:19 “for though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them”. Leaders are servants, and they do not seek to be served but yearn to serve and bring out the best in others. How are you helping your partner? Are you waiting to be served, or are you serving and giving your all to see your family become great without you feeling less? It is sad to hear of spouses who cannot help their partners or even offer to provide a glass of water because they are the leader of the manor.
How about our Lord Jesus Christ who created the world and beings, yet he bent down, wrapped a towel around His waist and washed His disciples’ dusty feet! Wow, that is an example every leader must emulate. In our marriages let us become servant leaders, there is much love in serving others and a lot more love when we serve our husbands or wives.
Great marriages don’t naturally happen; they are created by imperfect couples who refuse to give up on each other and their marriage.
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Abi Apalara loves sharing insightful information that helps couples flourish in life and their marriage relationship. I have enjoyed both good marital pleasures and challenging times in my marriage. I came to realise, the points where I missed it, were areas I lacked information on how to. Making it up along the way, only meant I was going the wrong way. Desperately seeking to get back into marital bliss, I started exploring and reading about those areas of challenge. I also reached out to counsellors and began to see what I was missing.
After a surprising move into relationship study, I have found peace of mind and happy with my marriage. I have authored the book Are you ready? Marriage expectation versus realty to share my experience and encourage men and women to work on their
marriages, by seeking knowledge and apply it to their marriage relationship.
My latest book, Are you ready? Marriage expectation versus reality focuses on discovering some of the unrealistic expectations we bring into a marriage. It comes with practical advice and a guide on how to get it right before and after getting married. You can also preorder the book here