We tend to be suspect of people, most events in our lives, and the world where we live, generally speaking. Two thoughts flow from the title of today’s post.

The first connects to the relationship of a leader with those who follow. When leadership exists without the suspicion of motives and actions on the part of followers, we find a situation described as unsuspecting leadership.

The second, however, relates to the character of the leader as it is seen by followers. When a leader’s character exemplifies the kind of integrity that is built on values of godliness, then the motives and actions of the leader are not questioned by followers. They possess an unsuspecting leadership.

The beauty of biblical leadership is found when both ideas are present in the relationship. The result displays trust, not a trust that is superficial, but one that provides transparency and strengthens the core of the church.

Developing this relationship takes time. Quality and durability are rarely the reward of implementing something quickly, but the result of time-honored, detail-oriented, values-based, and spiritually-focused effort.

An opportunity represents circumstances presenting possibility, either to be gained or lost. If we are unable to see the possibility, we will never take advantage of the opportunity.

Life is filled with opportunities. We may choose to pass or act on an opportunity. The possibility also exists that we will neither pass or act on an opportunity because we fail to see it.

As we focus the week on gratitude, we are thankful for the opportunities God provides. Whether we fail to see an opportunity or we see it, what a blessing we have to know God works in our lives daily. He provides us with opportunities to grow closer to Him, recognize the beauty of His handiwork, develop a stronger faith, help and encourage others, love family and friends, work and earn a living, remember those who changed our lives, and the list is unending.

Opportunities abound if we look. We generally find that taking advantage of God-given opportunities provides an abundance of God’s blessings.

Now that is something worth our gratitude. Thank you, Lord.

Throughout life we meet many acquaintances, people we know and people with whom we share a part of our journey through life. We are thankful for the footprint left by these individuals because the composition of the whole is responsible for who we are today.

Throughout life, however, there are those few people who leave more than a footprint on our lives. These individuals draw close in a relationship that involves more than sharing a part of the journey, but they share their lives on this journey. We call them friends.

Sadly, social media has redefined the way we think about friends. A friend is far more than someone who likes, comments on, or shares a link. The thought of having hundreds or thousands as friends through social media is a farce.

Knowing a few who are close friends is a great blessing in life. Many definitions of a friend exist. One that resonates with most says, “A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

For those people in our life that are true friends, today and everyday, we give thanks.

A distinction can be made between the concept of leadership and that of being a leader.

A segment of those who write about leadership indicate a small percentage (2-3%) of people in our world are leaders. Another segment of authorship claims everyone has a sphere of influence that includes friends, family, coworkers, neighbors, etc. Thus, we are all leaders to a degree. The exercise of our influence, however, may determine the type of leader we are or are not.

On the other hand, leadership seems to indicate the use of power to direct a group of individuals toward an objective, a purpose, vision, or certain goals associated with these areas.

If we make this distinction, then the number of those who possess the authority to direct is fewer. Additionally, few desire this authority.

We should remember something I once heard, “If you want to be a leader, then think, speak, and act like a leader.” The idea speaks to how our thoughts, words, and actions affect every relationship.

If we start here, then perhaps leadership will take care of itself.

November 15 is somewhere in the middle of the month. While the idea of being somewhere in the middle can raise thoughts of mediocrity, neither for our against, a sort of “riding the fence” mentality, this thought goes much deeper.

As quickly as the days, weeks, months, and years fly by, taking a moment somewhere in the middle seems appropriate to evaluate and ask a few questions.

What have we done up to this point to help reach our goals and achieve the vision? Would our assessment indicate solid progress, or are adjustments needed in order to move us forward? Maybe we need to alter our goal. If so, should the goal be raised because we aimed to low, or should it be lowered because we were to ambitious initially?

Somewhere in the middle affords us an opportunity to evaluate the primary areas of our work and progress to determine how we can lead into the future. Additionally, from this position we have a much better perspective of what the future looks like and how we can cast a greater vision for what lies ahead.