In society today, all generations are dealing with different issues of their own. For instance, the younger generation faces peer pressure. We are dealing with things and people that are causing us to change in a negative way. There are not too many young people who are willing to lead, because many of us are waiting for our peers to demonstrate leadership.
This month’s issue of Light + Life Magazine discusses “leading and following change,” something that is important in this time of our young lives. As Titus 2:7 states, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness.” This verse reflects this month’s theme by emphasizing skills of a leader — showing integrity and seriousness.
To qualify to be a good leader, you must put God first because nothing is possible without Him. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles — moral uprightness. What is moral uprightness? Moral uprightness is the act of being honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous and honorable. Upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles.
In Titus 2:7, Paul encourages Titus to showing seriousness. Dictionary.com defines a serious person as “characterized by deep thought” and “being in earnest, sincere; not trifling.”
Having integrity and showing seriousness should be the way of a leader and the way of change. When this magazine refers to “following change,” it is not talking about following just any type of change but following the change that will affect God’s people in a major way. When we become unfocused and do not lean on God’s Word, we get affected by such little things that we fail to remember 1 Peter 2:21: “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” He is the one and only great leader, and Christ’s death should be an example for us to go out and be leaders who spread the word about Him.
We are called to be leaders. We are called to make a change for better. Many people are lost and looking for help while going in the wrong direction. If we have the ability to lead, we have the ability to help them follow the change.
AnTania Watson is a student at Greenville University.
DISCUSS IT
- Do you have leadership abilities but choose not to lead?
- How do you encourage others to become leaders?
- What can we as young adults do to become better leaders? If you are an older adult reading this article, what can you do to help younger people lead and follow change in the right direction?
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