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October 5, 2009 - Be a Leader

What makes a great quarterback?  Former coach for the University of Miami tells us, “Having a pro offense with great receivers but no first-rate quarterback is like having a new limousine with a chimpanzee at the wheel.”

To be consistently good at this day after day and compete at the NFL level, a quarterback needs several skills and talents.  Certainly having a strong and accurate arm is very important to being an effective quarterback.  He must be able to fling the ball from various positions and for distances up to 60-70 yards.   He also must have good rhythm and footwork to avoid those blitzing linebackers and safeties.   A good sense of timing is also critical to being a successful NFL quarterback.  Decision-making is another key to being successful at the quarterback position. 

Finally an NFL quarterback needs to be a leader.  Someone once said, “Leaders are not those who strive to be first but those who are first to strive and who give their all for the success of the team.  True leaders are first to see the need, envision the plan, and empower the team for action.  By the strength of the leader’s commitment, the power of the team is unleashed.”

When you see a team struggling it is most likely because there is a lack of good leadership in some facet of the game. Any championship team has outstanding men who can step up and take on the leadership role.  They become the field generals for the battling teams.

The Strength of Leadership

Marian Anderson of the New York Times once said, “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it.”

Perhaps the single most important trait of a great quarterback and a great man of God is to know the needs and hearts of the people you are leading.  It is a wise football player and servant of God who shows compassion and displays understanding.  A person will generate enormous effort when they know they are respected, loved and cared for.

Scripture calls men to be leaders in their homes, work places and churches.  To be a leader we must first test our own hearts for purity, righteousness and obedience.  Then we must be willing and fit to lead by example and model the principles of God’s Word.

Be a leader my friend.