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Every person has an invisible sign around their neck that says, ‘Encourage Me!’
~ Mary Kay
Eagle leaders are no less in need of encouragement than anyone else. Some believe that leaders have an ‘inner source’ that resupplies them with encouragement. Therefore, the thinking goes, don’t talk too much about the leader or it will go to his head! While this may be true occasionally, the reality is that many leaders are dying for lack of encouragement! Encouragement, by nature, doesn’t feed the head, it feeds the heart!
That is why Jesus, when confronted by John the Baptist’s doubts, began to brag on his exploits – within earshot of those who would take Jesus’ words of encouragement back to John. You will also notice that Jesus had nothing good to say about the people who drained the joy and hope from John’s life and (by intimation) from His own life as well. Jesus said to the crowds …
When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by all her children.” Luke 7:24-35
We become like Jesus when …
o We brag to all who will listen about the good things our leaders do for us!
John was not a perfect man! No one is perfect. However, while some believe their gift is to expose the faults of others (perhaps it is a gift – from Hell), the Bible says that love covers a multitude of sins (Proverbs 10.12; 1 Peter 4.8).
This week, why not join the lifestyle of Jesus and brag on your leaders! While they aren’t perfect, they are in need of your encouragement. Tell everyone you meet – within earshot of the leader or someone close to them – why and how much you appreciate them. You will be surprised what a little true appreciation will do for your leadership team as a result.
© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
