Our current culture tends to rely on short-term orientation. Considering the consequences of our decisions a month, year, or ten years from now is almost a foreign concept, especially on an individual basis.

The validity of what this means is best determined by considering goals. What personal goals do we have for next year, five years, or ten years from now?

Also, how often do we consider the consequences of a decision to get involved in an activity of questionable influence to our Christianity and leadership?

Leaders must be active in assisting others in preparation for the long run, a long-term orientation. There is a great need to consider where we want to be in the future and what decisions will help us reach the destination with a strong godly character.

Every decision has some form of consequence, good or bad, now and in the long run.

A thoughtful process of examining these consequences will help us shape the future for our own lives and for those we lead.

Perhaps one of my favorite leadership quotes comes from John Buchan, “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.”

There is something special about this thought and its application, primarily within the spiritual realm of God’s church.

Far too often, we attempt to put greatness into others. Somehow, we fall prey to the mindset that if we can put greatness into others, they will be great.

We all need to learn the power of the lesson expressed above. Greatness is already there, in each and every person. Our task is to elicit it, draw it out of them.

Leaders must work to use the greatness that exists in each person, helping them reach their potential by implementing their own deep seeded greatness.

The challenge is how to avoid the attempt to make others what we want them to be in the journey. The kind of leadership Buchan describes requires yielding control and allowing others to blossom in the fruit of the greatness God has placed in them.

This is leadership!

A producer is defined as a person that makes, grows, or supplies goods or commodities for sale. Another idea includes someone responsible for the financial and managerial aspects of making a movie, play, etc.

Additional terms are related, e.g. builder, constructor, farmer, manager, administrator, promoter. If we were to sum it up in one thought, it would be someone who “gets things done.”

When considering the nature of our leadership, are we producing, i.e. getting things done?

The additional terms related to a producer identify what happens when a leader gets things done. They make, build, construct, farm, manage, administrate and promote.

If we are not involved in getting things done, then are we becoming the leader God wants from us?

Biblical leadership is about farming: cultivating the soil, planting and watering the seed that allows God to give the increase, bearing fruit.

If we are going to be the producers God desires, we must focus on the task God has given us to do and leave the rest to Him. Then, step back and watch the power of God!

Improving others is one of the greatest keys to successful leadership. Leaders lose the right to think about themselves, and they learn that great leadership is always about others. Jim Rohn said, “A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.”

To take this a step further, the task before us involves developing others into something greater.

For those who do poorly, we should get involved to help them do well. For the ones who do well, we should help them do even better. However, spiritual leadership drives us to a greater level.

The quality identified in this act is simple; we are talking about genuine love.

When leaders care for and demonstrate love for others they will always work to serve, placing the needs and desires of others above their own.

This attitude was beautifully exemplified in the life of Jesus and, as Christians, we have a responsibility to help the world around us see what Christianity truly looks like.

Hopefully, we will encourage the fainthearted and strengthen the mature along the way, allowing both to fulfill what God intended.

Essence is the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality of something, especially something abstract, that determines its character. It is further described by words such as: substance, principle, fundamental quality, sum and substance.

The idea behind this description raises several questions and ideas for consideration.

What is the essence of our leadership?

When others consider that indispensable quality that determines our character, how would they describe our leadership?

Is there any substance to the fundamental qualities of our leadership?

The essence of our leadership needs to be built upon the ideas expressed by David when asking the questions connected to dwelling with God in Psalm 15: the one “who walks with integrity, works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

We often focus on the ideas of integrity, righteousness, and truth. These are good and worthy to be at the core of our leading.

However, the idea behind walks, works and speaks is significant to describe the whole of the individual, what they think, do, and say. Godly leaders know that when the whole of life’s activities is defined by integrity, righteousness, and truth, others will follow.

As we near the final quarter of the year, our minds turn to the importance of the time that remains and our plans for the year ahead. As we approach a new year we give thought to several questions.

Are we on track to accomplish the goals we established this year?

If we knew that 2017 were to be the last year of our lives, what changes would we make to ensure our goals were completed in a timely manner?

Would our goals be considered important or urgent?

If we have procrastinated the necessary actions to accomplish our goals, we have no time to waste.

If we are waiting to decide what is most important, we have no time to waste.

With so much to do, people to lead to Christ, Christians to strengthen in faithfulness and personal growth, time is of the essence. No commodity is more valuable than our time.

Let us use the time God has given us wisely and never be known for wasting it.

Examining time in the wilderness is an interesting study in the Bible. A common thread found among the leaders of God’s people is time spent in the wilderness physically and emotionally.

Consider the time Joseph spent in Egypt. From slavery to the dungeon, the time did not deter God’s plan to develop a leader who would deliver His people and fulfill a promise made to Abraham.

There is also Moses, who, after fleeing Egypt, spent 40 years in the land of Midian away from all he had known, a preparation that developed him to lead the nation of Israel to the mountain of God.

Then, we have Jesus who spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness. The time ended with temptation and the demonstration of resolve to the will of God.

What is it about time spent in the wilderness that helps prepare people to be leaders for God?

This time identifies a need for and dependence upon God.

A walk through the wilderness is neither desired or pleasant. However, the time provides opportunities for growth and prepares us for leading God’s people.

Wisdom involves experience, knowledge and good judgment. From a practical point of view, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.

Biblically, one of the most notable illustrations of wise leadership is found in the Old Testament in King Solomon. The request of Solomon was an understanding heart to rule God’s people, and the result ushered in a king unlike any before or after him in Israel’s history. This does not mean that Solomon was without faults, but God did grant his request.

The challenge for leaders today is seeking the right source of wisdom. Scripture is clear and the application is significant.

Leaders who seek wisdom should ask God for it. When dealing with the trials of life, God is willing to give wisdom to those who ask in faith.

The qualities of God’s wisdom must be known and practiced: pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Wisdom can be learned by experience and from others. Using both allows leaders to base their leadership on the guidance provided by God.

Nearly four years ago, the world witnessed the passing of Nelson Mandela. The incredible nature of his leadership will be written about for years to come.

One of his many quotes represents the power of optimistic leadership. He said, “I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

The above statement piqued my interest. There are many challenges to remaining positive and optimistic in a world filled with the kind of hatred that fosters negativity and pessimism. Mandela knew this hatred well.

Leaders must keep moving forward, pointed toward the sun. Dark moments will come, but biblical leaders understand the hope in Christ that endures despair.

As leaders in God’s kingdom, we must not give up. The victory has been won through the resurrection of Jesus. This victory must keep us focused.