We live in an extremely reactive culture. We tend to react to something said or done without giving appropriate thought to the impact of our reaction.

To weigh out our words and the nature of them is an art long past forgotten, or perhaps, abandoned.

Recently, our oldest son dealt with a leadership issue on the job. His thought, as it was expressed to the individual involved, was significant enough it deserves repeating: “Every conversation is important. When a specific wording is missed or an inappropriate judgment made, it can temporarily or permanently stunt another person’s potential to grow in leadership.”

If we understood how our words might promote or hinder the leadership potential of another person, would we give more careful thought to what we say?

Solomon reminds us that the power of life and death are in the tongue, and the book of James reminds us of the unruly nature of the tongue. With our words we either build up or tear down.

We must not allow anything to influence our words in such a manner that would discourage someone from reaching their leadership potential.

If we only had one opportunity to change someone’s eternity by knocking on their door, would we knock?

If we knew there was only way to change our lives, would we change them?

If we only had one day left to live, how would we spend the time?

If…

I am constantly amazed how often I think about hypothetical situations. What if…?

We can spend time thinking about the possibilities, but leadership needs to take the possibilities and turn them into realities.

Leaders must eliminate the hypothetical “what if…” and ask the “when…?” and “how…?”

Until we start taking action, what if will only allow us to think about the possibilities.

Only Jesus / God could know what would have happened if the cities of Tyre and Sodom had witnessed the miracles rejected by the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida (Mt. 11:21).

Our leadership will be served well -if- we are willing to consider how we can move beyond the hypothetical and create the reality.

If may be conditional as it is used within the structure of the English language, BUT, what would we do if we knew we could not fail?

We often make promises or statements of affirmation based on the condition of if. For example, if everything goes according to plan, then we will follow through.

The challenge of our question, in this world according to if, is to see a much bigger picture. Consider the following:

Would we talk to the neighbor across the street if we could not fail?

Would we set greater goals for reaching the lost of our state or country if we could not fail?

Would our approach to world missions take on loftier efforts if we could not fail?

I realize this could get redundant, but give it thought. I say this because we cannot fail! The Bible reminds us not one of God’s good promises ever failed.

He has promised to be with us and never forsake us. He has promised to listen to us and counsel us. He has promised to give the increase.

Why are we waiting?

The thought behind the title of this post runs deeper than usual and, as a result, may carry over a day or two. Think about the various ways we use the word if.

If we could only win a game.

If I had a dime for every time we heard someone say…

If you do that one more time I am going to stand you in the corner (or some other form of discipline).

If I hear this any more I will go crazy.

If archaeologists would find (pick out a Biblical artifact) I would believe.

I am sure you get the idea of what I am talking about with this thought.

We often speak with the conditional use of the word if.

As we will see tomorrow, when we speak with this terminology on a regular basis, it has a profound affect on our leadership.

Yet, there is also great significance to the use of this word. What would you or I attempt to do if we knew we could not fail?

Think about it and we will look at more tomorrow.

On one occasion Jesus said, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with righteous judgment” (Jn. 7:24). Considering the context of an incorrect application by the Jewish leaders regarding the law of the Sabbath, we find signifiant lessons.

How often do we judge a situation or an individual based on the appearance? If we are honest, more often than we should.

We rarely examine the situation to learn the facts or talk with the person in order to know them. Sadly, this almost always leads to wrong conclusions and unfair assessments. Further, it demonstrates poor leadership.

The Jewish leaders could not see beyond the strict legality of their traditions, which they believed to be based on the law. It was their envy and jealousy toward Jesus that moved them to pursue whatever extremes necessary to remove a perceived threat to their power.

When leaders today become entangled in these same practices, based on the same attitudes of the heart, righteous judgment is hindered and appearances become the only basis for assessment. The results are always destructive.

Throughout life we all regret times we participated either in something said or done. We often wish we could take back those moments, yet we cannot.

However, the big picture of life is not painted by those few moments of regret over something said or done, but rather the whole of life. The development of character is a long-term project that requires us to work through and build upon those moments for a greater outcome overall.

Zig Ziglar once asked, “Will you look back on life and say, ‘I wish I had,’ or ‘I’m glad I did’?”

The larger picture of our leadership influence in the Lord’s church will be shaped by how we answer this question. When we look back, our regret should never be identified by what we wish we had done or said. Rather, our joy and hope of a better tomorrow rests in the fact we were glad we did it.

Decisions challenge us to the core. Tasks are not easy. But, at the end of the day, we need to rejoice in the fact our God will be glad we did!