Leadership, where does it come from?  I mean who determines one to be a leader?  As believers, the understanding is that God chooses leadership but how do you know or determine if a leader is called?  Who decides the calling?  How can one be sure that if a leader is called he is telling the truth?  So many questions and probably not enough answers.

It is important to understand from a common sense perspective that leaders are produced, pulled, recruited and/or chosen from the pool of regular people.  Regular people with shortcomings, hang-ups, insecurities and sometimes low self-esteem; however their exceptional ability in any one area allows him or her to excel.  The difference between leaders and non-leaders is that a leader will step out and do what needs to be done, display his or her gift despite the fear of others finding out he or she isn’t perfect.  Leaders realize no one is perfect but that’s doesn’t prevent him or her from doing something great or stirring the greatness in others.

Regular people, non-leaders often find fault in leaders and that’s not hard because leaders are flawed.  In fact there isn’t one leader or extraordinary person who doesn’t have some kind of flaw.  It’s designed to be that one.  Without a flaw a regular man turned leader would become judgmental, self-centered, arrogant and ignorant all in one.  The regular non-leader usually points out the flaws in leaders because they are disappointed in their own inability or lack of courage to step out and do great things because he or she is too conscious of his or her shortcomings.

What are saying?  Are we giving leaders a pass on their flaws?  Are we saying leaders shouldn’t care about their flaws? NO not at all.  Every leader real leaders have within a natural responsibility to hold his or herself to a higher standard of living.  If that leader doesn’t; never fear, he or she will always have to answer to the one who chose him or her as well as those who follow them.  No leader ever goes unpunished for wrong deeds.  Sometimes it’s hidden longer but trust, light will open the door of darkness without fail.

Non-leaders must be more careful about the power that one yields to leaders.  Impressed by the gifts a leader displays often non-leaders will take or began to follow leaders and consult with them in all areas and not just the ones to which his or her gift.  Advertisers take full advantage of that and the most popular stars are used to market everything from insurance to cars because of their “following.”

A good singer is gifted to sing and you may enjoy the song, the way he or she looks and everything but imitating that singer’s lifestyle will not make you like them and in fact may run you crazy.  In the same way the men and women who bring the Word of God may speak into your life changing it forever but knowing them on a personal level or worshipping them was never the goal God set.  They are human and have flaws and following too close will cause one to fail and then blame God.

God alone is to be worshipped! He alone is to be praised.  Be grateful for the leaders HE has so eloquently and carefully placed in all areas of our life from politics to the NBA; from the streets to the seats in the House of Worship; be grateful.  Follow good leadership but reserve worship for God.

Yes leaders are both called and flawed.