Ordinary Time 
Pause
What makes a leader worthy to follow? Relevance? Intelligence? Vision?
All of that misses the point.
Instead:
Why don’t we follow “people with an ardent desire
to dwell in God's presence,
to listen to God's voice,
to look at God's beauty,
to touch God's incarnate Word
and to taste fully God's infinite goodness?”
quotation from Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus (1989)
Listen
“Everything they do, they do to be noticed by others. They make extra-wide prayer bands for their arms and long tassels for their clothes. They love to sit in places of honor at banquets and in the synagogues. They love to be greeted with honor in the markets and to be addressed as ‘Rabbi.’”
Matthew 23:5-7
Think
Jesus always sees to the heart of the matter.
So let’s be honest. What are my motives in seeking to lead? Is it for praise from people? Do I want to be a celebrity — even a minor one — so people will know who I am? Do I lead for God’s glory or my own?
And let’s think critically. What can I see of the motives of the person I want to follow? Does she demonstrate God’s love towards others, or is she cruel? Does he have to have the best seats in the house or the coolest clothes? Is he a show-off? Is she humble or proud? Does he care more about what God thinks of him or what other people think?
I need to follow those who follow God’s teachings — not their own need for popularity. That way, God will get the glory!
Deborah Guy
Pray
Lord, help me remember that you deserve all the glory. Whether I'm the leader or a follower, may I seek your glory in all things. Amen.
Go
May I see the opportunities to lead and have the humility to follow the leaders who are following the Lord's path.
