Why Leadership is Good:

Shaping Lives for the Better

Everything good in your life is the result of leadership. Think about it—whether it’s God’s leadership, your parents, mentors, or even your own decisions, leadership has shaped the good you see and experience today.

You might not see yourself as a leader yet, but here’s the truth: when you step up to lead, you bring good into the world. To lead is good.

Leadership isn’t reserved for a select few. It’s not about titles, positions, or personalities. To lead is to take responsibility for a desired future and influence others to help create it. This means you can lead. In fact, as followers of Jesus, we are all called to lead in some way.

Jesus, our ultimate example, led through servanthood, humility, and intentional influence. He showed us that leadership is less about control and more about contribution. It’s about stepping into the opportunities God gives us and saying, “Yes, use me to do good.”

Here’s the big idea: To lead is good because it creates good.

Examples of Leadership Creating Good:
Leadership brings positive change. Consider a few historical and personal examples:

• Kate Sheppard: Through her leadership, New Zealand became the first country to grant women the right to vote. Good was created through her courage and conviction.

• Martin Luther King Jr.: His leadership in the Civil Rights Movement fought for equality and justice, bringing transformational good to generations.

• Personal Stories: Think about the people who led you—maybe it was a teacher who believed in you, a pastor who discipled you, or a parent who guided you through challenges. Their leadership created good in your life.

If you pause and reflect, you’ll see that leadership has impacted you more than you realize. The good in your life—big or small—is often the result of someone choosing to lead.

Overcoming Common Objections to Leadership
Not everyone feels ready to lead. Let’s address some of the most common barriers:

1. “I don’t see myself as a leader.”
   Leadership isn’t about titles or charisma. It’s about taking responsibility and influencing others for good. If you follow Jesus, you are called to lead (Matthew 28:19-20).

2. “I don’t have what it takes.”
   The truth is, none of us feel fully equipped. But God isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for willingness. Like the woman at the well (John 4), God can use you right where you are.

3. “I don’t fit the leadership mold.”
   Great leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Your personality, strengths, and unique story are part of the leader God is shaping you to be. You don’t have to be anyone else—just be you.

4. “My culture doesn’t celebrate leadership.”
   It’s true—we often live in a world that cuts down leaders or celebrates individualism. But Kingdom culture is different. In God’s Kingdom, leadership is celebrated and valued because it serves others and points people to Him.

Practical Takeaways:
Here are three ways to begin embracing leadership in your life:

1. Reflect on Leadership in Your Life:
   Make a list of the people who have led you and created good in your life. What qualities did they show? How can you reflect those qualities as you lead?

2. Discover Your Unique Leadership Style:
   Write down three things that make you unique—your strengths, personality, and experiences. These make up your "ness" (e.g., your “Joel-ness” or “Katie-ness”). Lead out of who God made you to be.

3. Pray to Lead Well:
   Use this simple prayer as a daily habit:

   “Heavenly Father, I’m grateful for your leadership. Thank you for calling me to lead too. I choose to believe your Word over my thoughts and feelings. I trust that your Spirit in me is enough. Use me today to lead in a way that brings good to others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Final Encouragement:
You don’t need to have it all figured out to start leading. Say yes to the opportunities God gives you, no matter how small. Whether you’re leading a small group, a team, your family, or yourself—to lead is good because it brings about God’s good.

Call to Action:
Take a moment to reflect: Who has been a leader in your life and brought good into it? Share your story in the comments below and encourage others to see the value of leadership.

Stay tuned for the next post in this series: To Lead is to Be an Example—how your actions as a leader speak louder than words.

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