Read Matthew 4:18-22

If you ever want to know what you’re like, have kids. If you want to live in denial, don’t.

Kids are like a living mirror.  I don’t know how many times I’ve been in a social situation with families, and someone’s son or daughter will act up, and one of the parents will say, “I wonder where (s)he gets that from!” And everyone else is marshalling all the willpower they can muster not to blurt out, “YOU! You are the one (s)he gets it from. It’s you!”

So much of life is caught as much as it’s taught.  And, frankly, there is more caught than we might think.  Thus, the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”

And that is so true of leadership. If we have the privilege and responsibility of leading others, what we do may speak louder than what we say. I heard it said this way: “If what you do is inconsistent with what you say, then what you do will speak so loudly no one will be able to hear what you say.” Whoa! That’s sobering… and convicting.

In our passage today, Jesus didn’t say, “Come, listen to me.” No, He said, “Come, follow me.”

I’ve learned that disciples were not merely expected to learn what their rabbi taught, but their goal was to be who their rabbi was.

In the same way, leadership is as much caught as taught.

So, when we’re leading, let’s make sure we are on the right path.  Let’s make sure our priorities are right. Let’s make sure we are sharpening our skills for leadership (Psalm 78:72b; Ecclesiastes 10:10) and refining the character of our lives (Psalm 78:72a).

Because those who are following us are watching us.

Oh, and one more thing.  This is important. Look at verse 19. As leaders, we need to keep the main thing the main thing. As a Christian leader, our priority is the Kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and fishing for men (v. 19). Our prime directive is to invite, equip, and release people to that cause. And, as leaders, we need to model it and champion it. The priority of the Kingdom and striving to reach our full redemptive potential must be obvious, both in our actions and our words.

Remember, the ones you are leading are watching.

David Lawson