Entrusted to LeadSample

AHEAD OF US OR BEHIND US

Jesus cautioned his disciples about the inevitability of his journey to Jerusalem, where he would suffer, be crucified, and rise again on the third day.

Then Peter pulled Jesus aside and said, “Never, Lord! … This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22).

“Get behind me, Satan!” responded Jesus to Peter. “You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (v. 23).

“Get behind me …”

This tells me Peter was in front of Jesus, trying to lead rather than follow, when the very first invitation and calling on Peter’s life from Jesus was to “follow me” (4:19).

Perhaps Peter is like us.

I am fine when God shows up in a way I’m comfortable with: the Miracle Worker, the powerful God, the One who answers my prayers when I need him to and the way I want him to. But when he doesn’t, I want to control the situation, and before I know it, I have stopped following and started leading.

So Jesus says to his disciples,

Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Matt. 16:24–26 MSG)

Leadership and influence are determined by who is in the driver’s seat. Or as Bob Goff says, “The way we deal with uncertainty says a lot about whether Jesus is ahead of us leading or behind us just carrying our stuff.”

Our calling is to follow, and our assignment is servant leadership. Because if serving is below you, leadership is beyond you.

Think about the moments when you feel not enough or not seen. When your ego says that you deserve more honor or that nobody appreciates what you do for them. Now take those moments and bring them to the feet of Jesus.