Five Defining Traits of a History Making Young Leader

Shyju Mathew

"Experience the Word of God, in the power of the Spirit."

February 13, 2013

The combination, of ‘you’ and the roller coaster ride called ‘life’, always seems like an imperfect fusion. Trying to live perfectly seems to be most disappointing. It always seems to leave scars, marks, wounds, and regrets.

young-leader

It was in 2010, when Jesus challenged my way of life and understanding of ministry, that I began to see things differently from what I learnt and understood it to be. Since then, nothing has ever been the same again. I learnt that life would birth more meaning when we face life one day at a time while learning, gleaning, enjoying and pursuing Jesus even through sharp turns and new thresholds.

Here are first five of those things that I want every young person in my generation to learn and be.

1. Be a Father in the Spirit

It was even before I was married that the Lord spoke to my heart to “father this generation“. I had no idea why and how to do it since I was single. But I have learned that the qualification to be a father in the Lord is not to have a child in the natural.

You don’t need to be in the fifties to love someone unconditionally as a father would. To be a father is to believe in someone when they have nothing visible to celebrate about. [ClickToTweet] To love someone is to invest into someone today, such that one could celebrate their tomorrow.

A leader leads, a father makes leaders.

I encourage you, without expecting titles, honour or anything else in return, to encourage, love and invest into people around you.

2. Be a Leader to a Generation

“Lead by example”, they say. No matter what gender or age you are, God can use you to be an influencer in this generation.

[Please note: Being a father or a leader is not about people calling you a father or a leader.]

You don’t need an invitation to preach to be a leader. Your life is the platform where people see you clearly and learn without you teaching. [ClickToTweet]

What I mean here is that I want you to be intentional in your definition of who you are and what your impact would be in this generation. Every action, each word you speak, every moment you spend with another is an opportunity for you to lead that person in the right way with love.

Don’t miss this opportunity to lead this generation for Jesus! Start today. Renew your mind, your life will create an impact.

3. Be a Fast Overcomer

This has to be on top of the list. The success of a leader is how fast he learns to be an overcomer. Defeat, failure, disappointments and mistakes are part of life. How you overcome that and how fast you get back up is what makes you different.

Don’t wallow in the sin that you have fallen into, and remember it is not over till you have won! [ClickToTweet] Get back up and get back up today!

4. Be a Passionate Student

Every leader, irrespective of their age, must forever be a student of the Holy Spirit and life itself. The day you think you know it all is the day you stop growing. Read the above two lines again and again till you promise to learn from everyone and everything around you!

5. Love Jesus Above Everything

No, not your ministry, vision, dreams, career, people or life, love Jesus over and above EVERYTHING else in your life. We started with Jesus, so we need Jesus for this life to end well.

When nothing else is working, remember, all we need is Jesus!

I want you to know I have great respect for you, my generation. We are special and loved by God. And our generation will see a great revival in this century. Let us stand united, humble and in love.

Yours for Jesus!

Your turn! If you have never left a comment before, I encourage my young friends to drop in a word below.

What is God teaching you lately? I’m listening!

 

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