Some people are shaped by their times. Others are shaped for their times. Jesus told his followers, "You are the salt of the earth; You are the light of the world." (Matthew 5:13-16). He was saying that we are to be on the cutting edge of His redemptive activity in the world. As the Father has sent Christ, so He is sending us (John 20:21). Salt is useless if it remains in the saltshaker. Light serves no purpose if it remains under a bushel. Jesus said that His people are to be a city set on a hill, a center of beneficial interaction. That city needs to be visible, accessible and open for business.

There is a sense in which all Christians are called to leadership. This does not mean that everyone has the gift of leadership (Romans 12:8; 1Corinthians 12:28), or that everyone has a leadership role (Hebrews 13:17, 1Thessalonians 5:13-14, Ephesians 4:11). We are personally called to bring the life-changing influence of Christ into every sector of society where we have interaction. Jesus said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Those who have the gift of leadership would do well to exercise it regularly. But each of us who pays the price of obedience to follow Christ is promised that He will draw other people to Himself through the influence of our life. This is the spirit of leadership.

Jesus qualified 'spiritual leadership' as being distinct from the common leadership style of this world. It is not based on political powers of personality and persuasion. His disciples were occasionally deceived by the worldly paradigm of leadership, even as we can be today. At times they found themselves jockeying for position. When Jesus saw this he reminded them: "You have all observed how many so-called leaders throw their weight around in efforts to secure the position of being the top dog. They like to feel that they are 'somebody important' by the way they control others. It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life to free the many who are being held hostage in the darkness of this age." (personal paraphrase; see Mark 10:43-45).

Jesus is introducing a new breed - a community of servant-leaders; His prevailing church. As His followers are empowered by His indwelling life they can initiate and model the agenda of the coming kingdom of Christ.

How do we cultivate the spirit of leadership? Paul writes Timothy and challenges him to "set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." Others who see his pioneer advance will be inspired to follow (1Timothy 4:12,15). Peter writes the early church: "Rather than lording it over those who are entrusted to you, be examples!" (1Peter 5:2-4).

What kind of example are you leaving others to follow? You are to be the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). You are called not merely to survive, but to prevail. You are made to be a pioneer rather than a settler. You must exemplify the answer rather than personify the problem. Do your words reflect the reign of Christ? Does your life reflect the compelling nature of His selfless concern for others? Are your mental and behavioral occupations an example of faith and purity?