DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHERE ARE THE LEADERS?

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – WHERE ARE THE LEADERS?

"Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: 'When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willing offer themselves, Bless the LORD!' " (Judges 5:1)

I echo this song: "Bless the LORD when leaders lead and the people follow."

But this begs the question: "Where are the leaders and where are the followers?" Or to put it a different way, "Why don't leaders lead and why don't people follow?"

There are probably a thousand reason why leaders don't lead, but there are several reasons that come to mind. One is that the leader doesn't have a clear vision of where they are going. Another one is the fear of people – afraid that they will reject their leadership. Another is that leaders often stand alone in the struggle for what is right. There is no place for timidity in leadership. Leadership is a lonely place. A leader must be willing to be in the front of the battle, whether anyone follows or not.

There are also many reasons why followers don't follow. They may think that the leader is wrong (and sometimes they are), and that they have a better idea of the direction they should go. Another is fear of the direction the leader is leading. Probably the biggest reason follower don't follow is that we don't want someone else telling us what to do. This is summed up in the closing statement of the Book of Judges – "every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

The Hebrew word for "leader" is in the masculine form. This is interesting because apparently there was a lack of male leadership at this time in Israel. Even Barak answered Deborah's challenge to lead the Israeli army into battle by saying, "If you do not go with me, I will not go" (Judges 4:8),

We see a similar situation in the many churches. I am so glad that this is not the situation at New Hope Fellowship. But many men are reluctant to take the role of leadership – whether in the home or in the church. So the female gender assumes the place of leadership. This is not God's plan. God has specifically designed for men to be the leaders. Some of that reluctance to assume the role of leader is that men have been put down so much that they do not have the confidence to lead.

When we recognize godly leadership and submit ourselves to that leadership, we bless the Lord. It may require some sacrifice of our own self and ideas, but following God's plan is always best. So let us step up, men, and be the leader God called us to be. And if God has called me as a follower, then I want to be the best follower I can possibly be.

Love, Dad