I want to introduce you to a family I think you need to get to know. They're the Tator family, and every few years I re-introduce them to you, because you seem to enjoy them so much. And I think we can learn some things from the members of this Tator family.
The first Tator I'd like you to meet is the father of this family, Dick Tator. I'd have to say Dick Tator is not a very teachable person. Dick finds it difficult to admit he's wrong about anything, and I've noticed he always must have things done his way.
Have you run into Dick Tator somewhere along the way? I wish I could sit down with Dick and share a few verses with him from God's Word. Proverbs 19:20 would be appropriate for Dick.
Listen to advice and accept discipline and at the end you will be counted among the wise (Proverbs 19:20).
Dick finds it very difficult to listen to others and as a result, he does things his way, and frankly, his way is not always the best. He'd be real smart to learn to listen to others and take advice. Proverbs 15:22 could help Dick understand why his ideas frequently fall flat on their face.
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed (Proverbs 15:22).
I sure wish Dick Tator could learn to ask others for their counsel and advice. He'd be much more successful.
Another problem Dick Tator has is he always wants to be the one up front, in control, telling everyone else what to do. Now, it's true we need leaders; people who can and will take charge and get the ball rolling. But Dick needs to learn about servant leadership. That's the best way to lead.
Jesus told us ...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:26-28).
I don't think Dick Tator has ever stopped to understand what Jesus was teaching us. Before you can tell other people what to do, you have to do it yourself. You lead best by getting out in front and doing the job; then others can follow your example.
Lots of people are like Dick Tator; they want the glory of giving orders but aren't willing to be the servant of those they want to lead. That's the mark of a great leader. Dick Tator needs to learn servant leadership.
