What is your purpose, your passion, the one thing you stand for above all else? (198-1)

Purpose and passion can overcome a leader’s lack of credentials. Read Mark 1:1-9.

Isaiah the prophet had foretold of a leader that would come on the scene just prior to the Messiah to prepare a way for Him (Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist seemed to just appear in Israel and sparked a major spiritual awaking among the people. John’s ministry touched every segment of society from the nation’s leaders, to beggars and heretics, to religious leaders. John had an amazing impact even though he had none of the credentials we associate with great leaders. He didn’t have politically influential friends, he wasn’t wealthy, he lived in an isolated area, he wasn’t formally educated, he didn’t dress for success and he demonstrated zero tact in his messages. Yet, according to Jesus in Matthew 11:11, John the Baptist was the greatest man ever born.

In light of Jesus’ assessment of John, wise leaders must look into what made John a man with such influence. John’s secret to leadership influence was that he knew his purpose and had great passion to fulfill that purpose. He was willing to sacrifice his personal comfort because his sole purpose was to call the people to repentance so their hearts would be spiritually softened as Jesus, the Messiah, started His public ministry. John’s passion came through in his message. Even though he lived in an isolated area, dressed in a camel hair coat, ate food available to him in the desert i.e. locust and wild honey, people came from Jerusalem and other major cities to hear his message.

Leaders with passion are productive. Passion will push inexperience aside and give a leader the desire to try, to get started, to do something. Passion will allow a leader to overcome setbacks and keep going. Leaders with passion find energy that seems extraordinary to the average person. Couple passion with purpose and leaders such as John the Baptist can change the world around them even with limited education and no formal training.

What is your purpose, your passion, the one thing you stand for above all else? If you feel passionless seek God in prayer and His Word to show you His purpose for your life because out of purpose comes passion. Effective leaders are those who have figured out what they stand for. Like John the Baptist, they have identified their purpose and pursue it with passion.