Ephesians 5:1-2: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.

Men it is critical that we imitate God and display the leadership characteristics that are true of Christ. Whether or not we decide to develop these characteristics will carry through to the decisions we make for us and our families and the legacy we leave behind. We must act and live in a mindset of humility and love. It is truly not about me and what I want. It is about what is best for my children and my family. If we are really going to love our wives and families as Christ loved the church, then that means being selfless. That means thinking about me last and making sure my family is taken care of first. At any time during Jesus’ journey to Calvary, He could have called on His father and the angels to stop the pain and anguish. But he didn’t. He knew that what He had to do was best for us. In Ephesians 5:25 Paul tells the church to love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for her.. Nobody said it was easy, but we don’t do things because they are easy. We do it because it is the right thing to do.

Think back to some major decisions that you have made because “you deserve it,” or because “you make the money here.” That decision you made out of anger, frustration and just pure selfishness. You knew it wasn’t right, but you did it anyway. I am pretty confident that situations like this never turn out for the best. This is just an example of our brokenness. We are all broken in some way, some more than others and all of us in different ways. John Maxwell talks about how our lives are a mosaic. It is a series of broken pieces put back together to make an intricate and amazing picture. Who knew that brokenness could look so good? God knew, because he saw you in your brokenness. He saw you making foolish decisions and bad choices. But somehow God knew that He could put those pieces back together into something that will glorify Him. A human life that will impact those around him and lead others to be the mosaic that God intended for them to be.

We are so short sighted in our minds that we cannot see what God intends. We can assume and presume what should happen, but you are probably wrong. If we use the leadership characteristics that are taught in the Word of God, we can avoid foolishness and presumption and go straight to courageous servant hood and obedience to our God. Our families should be following us as we follow Christ. How are you doing at following Christ?

Are you ready to start or restart that adventure? Do you have the courage to put the mosaic pieces back together or are you defeated and refuse to work at it? Yes, it will be difficult. Yes, you will have to eat some crow and yes, it will suck at times. But stop looking at the short-term work and fix your gaze on the long-term results and benefits to you and those around you. Many of you have a family that depend on you and they have been left floundering in a difficult battle. Pick up your sword and fight for what is right. Have the courage to put that mosaic together by making the changes that are needed.

You can do it! It may be difficult but not impossible. God is on your side and your family will be cheering you on once they see the changes and benefit of the changes you are trying to make.