Matthew 4:19 “Follow Me and I will make you.”    

These are the very words Jesus used to make the twelve ordinary men into his leaders, his disciples.  If they would follow him, he would make them into leaders.  The same is true for us today even when we hear the age-old question of whether leaders are made or born.  An unknown author once said, “Leaders are made, not born.  I’ve read the obituaries of leaders, but never have I read the birth announcement for a leader.  I can only deduct that somewhere between birth and death, by training, by mentoring, by choice and by strength of character, people become and are made leaders.”  It is true that some people are born with certain personal traits that make learning leadership easier but they must still be made into a leader.  Every man is called to be a leader when he accepts Christ and when he starts a family or job.  It takes time, testing, example and experience to become a good leader.  This is exactly what Jesus did to make his leaders.  Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you cannot become a leader or that Jesus cannot make you into a leader.  Just look at how Jesus made the fisherman, Peter, into an incredible leader.  He wants to do the same with you and me. 

We have to overcome the perception that a leader is the one at the top.  This is the lie of the enemy.  You and I are to be a leader at whatever level of position and responsibility that God has placed us.  The question is whether or not we will be an active or passive leader.  Leadership is an active process that takes time and experience.  It has been documented that leadership development is 80% experience.  Yes, education and mentoring make up the other 20% and Jesus provide his leaders with these, plus the valuable experiences.  I can read about golf all day and watch coaches and mentors for hours but I cannot really learn the game until I actively get on the course and play the game – experience.  Regardless of your age, ask yourself if you are a leader being made today?  Our leadership responsibilities will never be completed until God calls us home.  Does your family recognize you as the leader of your family?  Every morning we should pray, “Lord Jesus, today I am going to follow you and ask that you make me into the man God wants me to be.”