Are you a leader or are you a follower? A good leader has the vision of the end state in mind, understands the outcome that needs to be achieved and has a good plan on how to get to the desired destination. A good leader leads by example and reaches back to assist those who are following. A good follower, on the other hand, is simply one who is able to listen for instructions, can follow directions and trusts in the person they are following. So are you a good leader or a good follower? I guess it’s like asking if you are a Martha or are you a Mary. It all depends on the situation and what is appropriate and needed at the time. Yes, like Martha – there is a time to be busy making preparations, a time to offer hospitality and a time to serve but when Christ is in our midst we need to be prepared to receive him and offer him the hospitality of our hearts and undivided attention. Jesus reminds us that Mary chose the better part. We must allow Jesus to lead us to a place of comfort and peace; and Mary understood this. That by following her example, we can achieve our desired end state. That by humbly placing ourselves in the presence of the Lord and allowing his sweet voice, his words of encouragement, the beauty of his face to transform our hearts and lives we can be at peace. So in order to become good leaders, we must first learn to become good followers. We must listen, follow, and trust in the Lord. Jesus would often invite the disciples to come away with him. The Good Leader, our Good Shepherd would reach back and lead his disciples up a high mountain to a place where they could learn to pray, hear God’s voice, be transformed, go and lead. But rather than trusting in the Lord, rather than listening for instructions or following his directions they often were self-absorbed and concerned themselves about worldly things. They argued about who was the greatest among them; who would sit next to Jesus in the Kingdom; who was the favorite. But Jesus, in his example, through his obedience, in his faithfulness to the Father showed us how to follow the Father’s lead and that a good leader is the one who can lead us up the mountain, bring us into the Kingdom and take us to the Father. Jesus, I Trust in You.