We are presented with numerous choices connected to the events in life. We know people––we may be one––who become bitter at the difficulties that challenge and may cause them to abandon their faith.

We also know people who face giants when it comes to the trials of life and they choose to remain strong in and dedicated to their faith.

The difference is a choice. Wayne Dyer says, ”With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”

We have the gift of choice. We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves or look at the circumstances as an opportunity to grow into the person God desires of us.

James points out that these trials are instrumental in making us complete, so that we lack nothing (Jas. 1:2-4).

Consider the example of Job, a godly man who did not sin, nor did he blame God. Let us lead with such focus.

A precedent occurs when a previous event or action becomes an example that is used to justify similar circumstances in the future.

Often times, these examples not only justify similar circumstances they also become embedded in traditional practices that eventually become law.

Biblically, we find these practices with the religious leaders. The scribes and Pharisees were notorious for binding various practices. In and of themselves they were not wrong to follow, but they were not God’s law.

Think about washing our hands before eating. It is a good practice. There is nothing wrong or sinful about washing our hands. However, when others are condemned because they do not follow such practices, then the precedent is incorrectly bound (see Matthew 15).

We need to be careful as leaders today that we do not take a precedent of the past, use it to justify current practices, and then bind it as law on the church.

It may be a good practice, but there may also be nothing wrong with not practicing it. The difficulty arises when it is bound on others incorrectly.

At times, I hear or read something that seems providential in its timing, because I needed it at that moment. Such is the case with a statement by Timber Hawkeye: ”Flowers only bloom when they are ready. People are the same way. You cannot rush or force them open just because you think it’s time. Be patient.”

This is a beautiful analogy of what is needed in leadership. Successful leadership does not consist of leading people all the same way, because people are not the same.

The principles of leadership never change. People, however, learn and advance differently. There are those who advance quickly, while others learn at a slower pace. An effort to rush or force them into places or positions when they are not ready only creates frustration for everyone involved.

While patience is a virtue that most everyone desires to have… right now, the ability to demonstrate patience in the development of others is a treasured quality for leaders.

When demonstrated by leaders, patience encourages followers to develop in ways that reach their greatest potential.

We’ve all heard “actions speak louder than words,” or “a picture paints a thousands words.” Then, there is the old classic, “I’d rather see a sermon as hear one any day.”

The ideas presented in these thoughts emphasis the need for consistency in life’s daily activities. Our family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers all watch everything we do and listen to everything we say, and they seek to find inconsistencies in our character.

However, how do we go about examining ourselves to determine who we are and how we represent ourselves to those around us? Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

At times, it’s hard to remember that neither our intentions or words determine who we are, but our actions. People judge our actions!

When we examine our leadership, how others see us act defines and delineates who we are as leaders.

Perhaps this is why Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day, but today seemed more appropriate, especially since I will not post tomorrow. Perhaps it seemed trickier to do the post in advance.

The majority who read this post remember growing up playing those little pranks on friends, family, or teachers and followed up by saying, “April Fool’s.” Will that be you or me this year?

Generally, these pranks were harmless attempts to get people to look at or believe something that did not exist.

As we get older, these childish games fade and April 1st is just another day. So, what is the point?

When we examine the nature of our leadership, is it more like an April Fool’s prank? Do we pretend to be something we are not? Do we really understand the seriousness of our influence and its affect on others? An honest evaluation helps us determine who is fooling who.

We can fool some of the people some of the time. We might fool most of the people most of the time. We may even fool ourselves, but we cannot fool God. Lead with God in view.

The phrase “glory of the Lord” is found approximately 24 times in the Old Testament. The expression is generally connected to the tabernacle or temple.

The glory of the Lord appeared in the tent of meeting where Moses spoke with God “face-to-face.” We also find the glory of the Lord filling the temple at the completion and dedication given by Solomon. Even Isaiah saw the earth full of His glory as the temple filled with smoke.

The appearing of God’s glory in these ways indicates the desire of God to dwell among and with His people. The greatest indication of this is found in the incarnation of Jesus.

John records, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth” Jn. 1:14.

The coming of Jesus opened our understanding to Immanuel, “God with us.” How powerful to consider His presence at every step in our journey through life.

How beautiful to consider the way He works through us to be present in leading others.

The definition of success varies from one individual to the next. We also find that individual and corporate definitions abound. However we choose to define success, whether achievement, financial freedom, independence, family, health, love, etc., remember that our success relies on the help we receive from or the help we provide others.

Marianne Williamson claims that “success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others.”

From a leadership perspective, we find biblical application connected to this definition of success. When leadership is built on self-interests and self-centered ambition, we can achieve success, at least as some define it.

However, biblical success is directly related to our passion, i.e. understanding that passion involves sacrifice and sacrifice is affiliated with what we give up. And when we make a sacrifice for others, our leadership influence soars.

We can enjoy peaceful rest when our talents and abilities are used to serve others in this way. Here is leadership at its best. How will you and I rest tonight?

Concluding our thoughts on the mark of greatness, we consider one final area demonstrated by our Lord: His confidence in twelve men to turn the world upside down.

Jesus taught, encouraged, admonished, and equipped these men in preparation for the work He commissioned them to fulfill.

Looking at these four words and thinking about how Jesus individualized each them, the lessons are powerful in leadership greatness today.

Teach: People will only do the work they are taught to do. One of the areas where teaching / preaching falls short is application. We are good to give information and share the imperatives, but “how” do we do it? When the application is provided, we all learn how to fulfill the task.

Encourage: The ability to encourage others motivates them to work harder than before. When criticism is tempered with encouragement, people change.

Admonish: Warning, advising, or even reprimanding others is needed to prevent harm from occurring in the lives of others. The attitude behind admonition determines the reception.

Equip: Providing the necessary tools to fulfill the given task and responsibility are vital to the success of followers, especially as we prepare them to lead.

The life of Jesus clearly sets an example of greatness, provided so that we might follow in His steps. We have considered His compassion and His ability to discuss matters of importance.

Another area of greatness found in the life of Jesus was His suffering. Jesus suffered on numerous occasions both verbally and physically.

The religious leaders sought to eliminate this threat to their position and power.

The ultimate suffering, however, did not come at the hands of the religious leaders, even though they instigated the procedure.

At the hands of Rome, Jesus would encounter suffering beyond imagination, as He was beaten, ridiculed, mocked with a crown of thorns, spit upon, scourged, and nailed to a cross.

Suffering is not often seen as greatness, rather a stumbling block and foolishness. But to those who are saved, it is the power of God.

The purpose of His suffering makes this act of leadership a mark of greatness.

As leaders today, the higher we go in leadership the greater the sacrifice we must make. Suffering will be a mark of greatness for leaders as well.