I am the way

As leaders, we bring three things to every leadership opportunity. Who we are, what we think, and what we do. Christ began His teachings about leadership to his disciples with a focus on who they are and what they think. They needed to change the way they thought about being a leader from one of status and power to one of service. They needed to change their motive for leading to love and salvation. Based on this foundation, He turned his attention to teaching them what they would need to do as leaders.

He began by reminding them that He would be leaving, but that He was going to prepare a place for them in the mansions of His father. Then he stated, "if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also." Then He declared, "whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." To which Thomas said that they did not know where he was going or the way.

Christ then taught one of the most important principles of divine influence in this powerful statement, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me." He went on to explain that they would do even greater works than He had, they just needed to ask in His name to the Glory of the Father. He then stated, "if ye love me, keep my commandments."

A true leaders way of acting requires that they follow Christ's example. He is the way or the path. As disciples following a master, Christ taught His future leaders to become like Him by doing the things He did. In so doing they would receive spiritual truth and life, the guidance and direction they would need to lead as He led. They were to seek the will of the Father in all they did as leaders and act in His name. They were to show their love for Him by keeping his commandments. This is what leaders who wish to exercise divine influence must do:

1) Study and emulate the leadership example of Christ, seek His path, His truth, and His life

2) Seek to understand the will of God in relation to their actions

3) Pray for divine support in doing what God would have them do to lead others to Him through their influence

4) Show love for Christ by keeping His commandments so that they can receive the guidance and support they need

As you begin your day as a leader and when you encounter challenging leadership moments, do you pause to do these things? I would encourage you to do so if you wish to not only to lead, but to exercise divine influence.