First United Methodist Church Carrollton

“Leaders Lead the Way”

            Today while doing my Bible Study I came across a statement that just really jumped out at me.  Ezra 9:2 b – says, “And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.”  Ezra is actually talking about the fact that the people of Israel have gone against one of God’s commandments and had married wives from the people around them.  God has given us lots of commandments and all of them are important, but the part that I was disturbed by was the second part of the verse which said that it was the leaders and officials who were leading the way in going against God - they led in unfaithfulness. 

            Leaders and officials are the ones who have taken on the responsibility to make sure that we are going in the right direction.  They are the ones who must know the rules and what is right and wrong so that they lead and teach and model right behavior to others.  When we are in leadership positions, we should feel that pressure and duty to obey God not only for our own faithfulness, but also because others are watching and following us.  This is true for all leaders whether it is the leaders of our nation, our community, a business, or a church. 

            If we are in leadership positions then we need to be even more conscientious of our actions and faithfulness to the Lord.  And if we have officials and leaders who are not faithful to God and are influencing inappropriate behavior then we need to have the courage to confront them and if needed remove them from their leadership positions.

Prayer:   Lord, remind us as leaders to recognize that we have an influence on others and that it is so important to live our lives faithfully in all that we do.  And help us to make sure that all who are placed in official and leadership positions are ones who are faithful to You, Lord, and will listen for Your guidance and lead in the way that You direct.  Give us wisdom, Lord, and a heart to serve.  Amen.