When Jesus sought to train His disciples so they would turn their world upside down, He did not rely upon a spellbinding lecture or the writing of a definitive leadership manual. He spent time with them and modeled what He was talking about. He incarnated the truth He was proclaiming.
How is it we will exert the most influence? It will be as we teach and model truth as we go about our daily lives. Some parents think they can impact their children or grandchildren through regular lectures or diatribes. Some leaders think a well-written memo or impassioned speech will turn things around at the office. But those who exert the greatest impact are the ones who live out their convictions hour by hour. Whether they are eating a meal or traveling to their next appointment or walking down the hallway or even resting from their labors, they are communicating truth.
If God’s truth does not permeate every aspect of our life and schedule, we ought not to be surprised if those we lead choose to reject it. We never know when something we say may “click” with someone. It might not be during the staff meeting or the family get-together. It might be over a meal or at the end of a long day. We need to so incarnate God’s truth that to be around us, is to be seeing and hearing God’s word.