Effective Leaders Light the Way

LEADERSHIP Series: Lighting the Path – Leading the Way.

Proverbs 4: 18-19 (NIV) The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

* (AMP) [Verse 18 only] But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared].
* John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
* Matthew 5:14 (NIV) "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
* Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
* Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord
* 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV) But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

Uncompromising values. That's the path we want all our leaders to walk - whether a business team leader, CEO, politician, parent, friend or spouse. Yes, we want that for "them;" but it is also each of us. We are all called to be "lights." Impossible on our own power and we must take the right path.

1. How are you intentional about being a receptacle for God’s light?
2. What do you do to “light the path?
3. Do you think your life is “like the light of dawn, that shines more and more?” Why or why not? What needs to be changed or enhanced?

I am struck by the analogy given to help paint the picture for us. From the beauty of dawn's early light to the searing light of the midday sun, the message is simply that when walking this path, changes are to take place in those that walk it. In fact, we have a religious term for this walk - sanctification. The doctrine states that our growth along this path is continual and will be completed when we pass from this life into the next.

1. What step do you experience in your growth walk?
2. Give an example of what has been conquered, by God’s grace, and what you are working on.
3. How can you become “more attractive” to the world around you?

Our spiritual transformation differs in kind and quality from any man-made light source. In this journey, we are to become ever brighter - not like a battery that overtime looses its power; our light is to get stronger and stronger, brighter and brighter. Obviously not a man-made journey - ours is powered by a source outside of us and is greater than we.

Light is attractive: people love to look at city lights seen from a high place. We will drive or walk to see a sunset. Some of us want to be awake early not to miss a sunrise. Just as Jesus was light, so we are called to be lights - our lives (our everyday living) so bright and beautiful that the world is attracted to our light.


Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell