Leadership

Leadership is a slippery something.  One can been given or empowered with control, however this is not automatically leadership.  One can dominate others, but this is not what leadership is all about.  One can even manipulate and shape events to a predetermined end, yet this is now leadership. 
The heart of leadership is lies is truth filled visioning that is accepted by others followed by the authority, trust, and willingness to follow that is freely given in response.  Frequently one can see it unfolding.  It is a powerful force that all other forms of domination are powerless to completely stop.  While leadership can be held in check for awhile, it will come through.  Even when it is controlled, people often can feel the power that comes from the truth.  At the heart of one who has been given leadership by those that follow is a truth filled life.  The individual's journey resonates with authority.  Her or his words capture the heart of the truth.  His or her actions tell the story in ways nothing else can. 
In an old story, a changed man, one arrogant, now a humble leader took his place. “During this time, Peter stood up in the company-there were about 120 of them in the room at the time-and said, 'Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus.  That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been.  Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry.'”  (Acts 1.15-17)  Instead of worrying about authority, the group of friends worked together for the decision at hand.  Great leaders give birth to even more leaders that often work in great teams.
Life is far too difficult, complex, and chaotic to tackle on our own.  We need the insights and lessons provided by others.  Everyone can be a leader in one or more nuances of his or her journey.  We can tell the story of the truths close to our hearts.  God's gift is truth and action; leadership.