November 28
Bible Reading: Acts 27:27-38
Acts 27:34, “Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”
Jesus is the best example to us in every virtuous thing, including in what it means to be a great leader. As the “overseer of our souls,” He loves and cares and leads better than anyone else ever can (1 Peter 2:25). Any other leader is effective to the extent that they follow in his footsteps, as under shepherds, directing others to look to the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). In that way, a good leader cares for people, seeing to both their physical and spiritual needs. As did Paul aboard the ship.
Humanly speaking, Paul was nobody among the crew. There were 276 persons in all, including a captain and a pilot and crew men serving in various roles, but Paul was a mere prisoner. Though he’d earned the trust of the Centurion, he was still at the lowest point of rank of all the people on board. But over the course of the doomed voyage, Paul rose in influence to where he became the one leader to whom men looked for guidance and encouragement. That happened not by man’s decision, but because Paul was there by God’s design and shared the heart of Jesus in his loving concern for others.
Following in the example of Jesus, with the wisdom and love borne in him by the Spirit, he led his shipmates on board the ship. Good leaders possess a clear vision regarding where they are leading others. Paul had prayed for his shipmates. His goal, his vision, was to see them kept safe through the storm, so he took steps accordingly. Good leaders find ways to encourage others. Paul did that by his faith in God, and specifically the promise that God would protect them. He intervened when some sought to escape the floundering vessel, thereby protecting their safety. Good leaders show genuine concern for those they lead. When they’d been fourteen days without food, Paul encouraged them to take some food for their strength, giving thanks to God “in the presence of all” for His provision (Acts 27:35).
We all lead others at some time in some way. Paul set forth a good example of some of the practical things a godly leader can do. He did things that we all, as believers, can do as we interact with others lacking direction and hope in this storm-tossed world!
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” –John Quincy Adams
OH! TO BE LIKE THEE
Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Refrain:
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find. [Refrain]
Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,
Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,
Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
Fit me for life and Heaven above. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 