A Google search often reveals more information than we can imagine and certainly more than we intended. In fact, most searches produce millions of potential areas related to our initial interest. The major issue at hand is where to begin. The task usually involves learning how narrow the search field or how to select from the major website options presented, which can be daunting.

Leadership development often presents the same problem: where to begin. To illustrate, Google search “Leadership Development” and notice more than 31,500,000 possibilities arise.

When we learn to specify areas of leadership development within the scope of the church or areas of spirituality, we find the field narrows.

Again, we discover the same struggle: where to begin. Perhaps we can begin by narrowing our search with two questions: 1) what needs exist, and 2) what piques our interest.

The priority of where our leadership begins rests on the need. However, we will also find that areas of interest keep us motivated to grow in leadership.

When we pour ourselves into these areas, what we find assists the direction of our leadership.

We make thousands of decisions every day. Generally, the majority of decisions have little or no consequential value. However, some decisions carry long-lasting, if not eternal, consequences.

Theodore Roosevelt said, “In a moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing to do, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”

Roosevelt’s thought deserves consideration, especially when we consider the impact on leadership development.

The foremost priority, when the moment of decision arises, is to do the right thing. We should add the necessity to do what is right for the other person. When others are the priority, the decision to do the right thing is clear.

Roosevelt’s statement indicates the worst decision to make is to do nothing. Jesus spoke about the eternal consequences of this decision in the “Parable of the Talents.” Regardless of the reason, to do nothing in leadership paralyzes everyone. Closely associated with this problem is the unnecessary delay in the decision.

The moment of decision is crucial and our consideration of the long-term consequences shape the proper direction.

Consider the value of time and energy connected to our leadership. People are not more incentivized by monetary or physical rewards than time and energy.

When people feel the only value they provide for an organization is from a financial position, then the long-term structure crumbles. We all recognize the time and energy we contribute to growth has value.

The same is true in every relationship. Think about parents who shower their children with gifts, but fail to shower them with time and energy. While children love receiving what they want, we all know the gift does not last long and the feeling at the moment fades quickly.

When time and energy are provided, however, children respond. Their response carries a long-term feeling of joy and, more importantly, a relationship of trust.

If we can emulate the same in our leadership environment, the response is the same. Consider the benefit to the church when Christians see leaders give of their time and energy. The result is huge in raising the level of trust and the desire to achieve the vision set forth by leadership.

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.