As it is with most children, I saw these two tendencies in my children as they grow up; they want to do stuff for themselves and at other times, they want you to help them do stuff. The same child that says; “Leave me, I want to walk by myself,” would also say, “Daddy, carry me,” at other times.
Friend, one of the signs that you are growing healthily is that you want to follow as much as you want to lead. These two tendencies must work in tandem in your life. It was God who put these tendencies in man at creation (Genesis 1:28, Romans 8:14). When you see a man who does not want to be led, that man is not healthy.
In the same vein, when you see a man who does not step up to lead, that person is equally not healthy. Now, when I talk about the tendency to lead, I’m not necessarily talking about the tendency to assume a leadership position. I’m essentially talking about the tendency to take up responsibility. It is the tendency to want to stand and take charge of your life and things around you (Genesis 3:9, 12).
For those who naturally love to lead or assume leadership positions, it is a godly virtue provided it is rightly manifested. But such a person must also want to be led; else, that kind of person is a danger going somewhere to happen. It is the desire to lead that triggers the desire to be led and vice versa.
A person can only lead to the extent that he or she can follow. For example, a pastor can only effectively lead his flock to the extent that he follows the Chief Shepherd Himself (1 Corinthians 11:1, 1 Peter 5:1-5). Also, any leader within a local church who is not following the senior pastor is not worth following. The same applies to work place and family leadership. People who do not follow do not deserve to lead (1 Corinthians 11:1, 3rd John 1:9-11).
If you notice any of these two tendencies lacking in your life, don’t explain it away. Seek for help to maintain health and balance in that area. It is not just about shyness that you do not want to take responsibility. It is a sign of ill health. And that you do not submit to anyone, including God, is a sign of danger. This was the undoing of Satan (Isaiah 14:12-15). Don’t fall for it.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria