Are others better because of me?
Sounds simple right? Except it's not simple. It may be the most import question you ask yourself, and it's something I desperately want to achieve. I guess I've started thinking about this more recently because I took on a new leadership role within my church. I've never really led anyone before and was concerned I wouldn't be good at it. I had faith that God put me in this position for a reason and if He has enough faith me in to lead some of His people, then I should honor Him enough to have faith in myself.
I still wanted to make sure I was the best person for the position. I started preparing by listening to Leadership Podcasts and taking all the advice I could by those around me. What I began to realize is that it isn't really about me and my abilities at all. It all comes back to Jesus (but doesn't everything). If I can do my best to act in a way that would be pleasing to Him, then wouldn't that be exactly the way He want's His people led?
Do people know Jesus better because of the way I act? Does the way I handle myself in tough situations point back to Him or does it point to something else? You lead by literally being in the front of the line. You can't lead by being in the back observing.
As parents, do our children learn how to love and forgive because of the way we love them and forgive them? We can tell them Jesus loves them every day but if we are not projecting that love onto them, then they will never truly understand it. I want my boys to grow into strong men of God, but if I'm not leading them down that pathway, then how will they reach that destination?
Can non Christians see Jesus in you because of the way you act at work or by your social media page? Are you constantly commenting on the latest political garbage and calling it your "Christian duty"? Is it really your duty as a follower of Jesus to rant and condemn?
Most Christians know this verse and have heard it all their lives, but I think most of them miss the concept and the point being made. Jesus isn't saying love one another so that other Christians will know that we are His disciples. He is saying love one another so that EVERYONE will know that we are His! You will never bring someone to Jesus by condemning them in their present sin. It's not our job to change people. Jesus does the changing. It's our job to show them the love of Jesus and open the door for an opportunity of change to happen by Jesus.
I can honestly say that I am a better person because Joe is my husband. I am a better mother because of the other mothers that surround me. I am a better leader because of the leaders I have learned from. The real question is this, are any of these people closer to Jesus because of me?