Morning Brew: Saturday, Nov 7

Are you caring for those entrusted to you or leading them astray? We all have someone following us. It may be simple to point them out, like children in our home. It may be the direct report you supervise at the office, the friend who always seems to do whatever you ask her to do, or the neighbor down the street or the friend at school that comes to you for advice.

Somewhere, somehow, God has entrusted you with leadership and influence over another human being (or many). The question is, how are you stewarding your influence? Are you intentionally caring for and nurturing those around you, or are you leading them astray?

Of the many condemnations God had against Judah, one stands out this morning, specifically against the leadership:

6 My people have been lost sheep;

their shepherds have led them astray

and caused them to roam on the mountains.

They wandered over mountain and hill

and forgot their own resting place. Jeremiah 50:6

The leadership of Judah was entrusted with the care of her people. But instead of leveraging their influence for the protection and betterment of the people, either through intentional actions or gross negligence, they led their people astray.

What about the people that look to you for inspiration, guidance, protection and provision? If someone made the charge that “you have led those you lead astray,” would that charge stick?

What intentionally are you doing to be an example for Christ to them?
How are you ‘making disciples’ of those entrusted to your care?
Do you think about how to better those around you, or do your thoughts center around how others can better your life?
If your children lived your life 20 years from now, would that make you proud or ashamed?

Everyone is a leader. Everyone has influence. How are you leveraging your influence to care for others? It’s Saturday. You’ve got the day off. What intentionally can you do today?

Prayer: God, may I intentionally care for, protect and disciple those you have entrusted to my care. Amen.