First One On, Last One Off

Deuteronomy 31:8
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

In the early wars of Vietnam there was a General named Hal Moore. One of his quotes to his men was... "I'll be the first one on the battlefield and I'll be the last one off the battlefield." What leadership! This is a man who wasn't going to send people to finish the task of war but a man who led by example. He knew the pain and costs of war and was not willing that his men think he wasn't willing to pay that same cost or pain. Where have such men gone to? Are they in hiding today or just not there anymore?

There is no true leadership from someone who isn't willing to get into the trenches with those that he is leading. Today's leadership wants it to be given unto them and never respectfully earned. It's proven in our society. Those out of college wave their degree papers. Those out of high school wave their diploma. Those out of middle school wave their scholastic awards. Even those out of elementary school boast of their knowledge while all demanding positions of leadership. Then we also have those of age who demand the leadership role and having never lead before, but because of age it's demanded they lead. Leadership is not as much knowledge and age as it is respectfully earned by leading in example.

Leaders are those who love to get to the house of God early and set up for a worship time. They love to be the first ones on the battlefield. Leaders also have a tendency to stay until the last one is off the battlefield. Leaders love to SHOW others how to walk in Christ and not TELL them how. A great leader is shown by the way they themselves follow. How can you expect people you lead to be on time if you aren't on time? How can you expect people you lead to be respectful to others if you are not? How can you expect people you lead to follow leadership if you are not following leadership? Will they tithe will you don't? Will they witness while you don't? Will they seek holiness while you don't? No, and never. Pastors, Deacons, Ministers, Song Leaders, Sunday School Teachers, Children's Ministry Workers, Members, etc...?

General Hal Moore was a good example of leadership, but Jesus Christ is the Greatest example of leadership. He will definitely be the first one on the the battlefield and the last one off. Thank you Jesus for willingly getting into the trenches of this flesh in order to redeem and lead us to salvation.