1073) In my language arts classroom, we have read a book that details the life of a family who, living under the deadly thumb of Joseph Stalin, were arrested and treated with absolute cruelty in labor camps. The account is brutal and the atrocities that this family and millions of others experienced during his reign are shocking.

In order to set up an understanding of what’s truly important, I ask the kids to pay close attention to examples of what makes someone powerful as we read through the book. The students see that many in Stalin’s day were wielding weapons and fury and I’ll ask the kids, “Is this person the most powerful?” Ultimately, what they discover is that those who acted in love toward one another were the most powerful; that love covers a multitude of sins.

Considering this, we read in Ephesians 5:1 of the fruit of love. Paul acknowledges that those who bask in God’s love will follow him anywhere. Why? Because love has such transformative power that out of gratitude, we can’t help but follow this leader.

Dare to evaluate the type of leaders you follow. You’ll know a good leader by their fruit.