“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Anais Nin

Simple, yet profound. No matter who we are, or where we live, this statement speaks truth. Sadly, we tell ourselves that we see things as they are, even from a biblical perspective. However, we fail to recognize that most of what we see in life is biased by who we are, how we were raised, the environment, culture, and hundreds of other areas, rather than reality.

Interestingly enough, how we see things becomes our reality. And because this is true, we become entrenched in our vision and beliefs to the point of dogma.

No one is exempt, but we need to understand the importance of patience and love when attempting to help others grow.

Leadership requires us to strive for empathy, the ability to understand and enter another person’s feelings. The more we do so, the greater our influence for the cause of Christ. Think Souls!

“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” Shannon L. Alder

Usually, when we think about a legacy we look into areas monetary in nature. Alder’s thought is one that points to the true nature of the legacy we leave.

What would we want others to say if we were to write our own eulogy? How do we want others to remember us?

If we know the nature of the words we want spoken when we leave this earth, it is vital that we live that way now. The good we want others to remember does not happen by accident, but it involves the effort we put forth now to make a difference in the lives of others.

Engrave on the hearts of those who know us the type of words and actions that demonstrate our love and care. The result will be memorable.

Leadership involves a special role and when we lead others in the way of integrity, righteousness, and truth, the legacy lives on in future generations.

Visiting any retail store reveals the multiple choices available. Very little is as simple as only one choice.

Consider something as simple as soap. There are hundreds of soaps available: laundry, bath, dish, liquid, antibiotic, foam, etc.

Along with these choices, there are innumerable name and generic brands on the market. Plus, the purpose of the cleansing agent needed influences the type of soap to look for and the amount.

The issue of choice is not only found in the area of soap. Walk down the isle of any store and consider the choices available on any product. At times, it becomes overwhelming to determine exactly what is needed.

A study of leadership also reveals the challenge of making choices. The choice made by leaders can make the difference in success or failure, so what choice(s) should be made?

Sadly, many choices must be made by trial and error. Only after the results of the choice are seen can another decision be made concerning the appropriate direction to take.

Nothing is more significant than leading others to make the choice about their eternal destiny. Think Souls!

As David expressed the need to be silent before God and praise Him, he concluded by saying, “And to You the vow will be performed.”

Without going into a complete background of the Psalm, the two words that stand out in this passage are “vow” and “performed.”

The idea of a vow indicates one who enters an agreement to which they must be committed to fulfill. Solomon emphasized the seriousness of vows when he wrote, “It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:5).

The word translated “performed” is joined with the vow, indicating that when the vow is paid. It completes an agreement so that both parties are in a state of peace (Lloyd, 1999). As a note of interest, the word translated “pay” in Ecclesiastes is the same word translated “performed.”

A leaders first responsibility is to God and then to those who follow. They must be committed to fulfill the responsibility of the relationship to which they have entered as leaders.

When they do, both parties are in a state of peace.

*Carr, G. Lloyd. “2401 שָׁלֵם”. In Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, edited by R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer, Jr. and Bruce K. Waltke. electronic ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.

The synonyms for the word this week make for some interesting application. Honest, sincere, genuine, and trustworthy are a few that seem natural and positive. However, candid, frank, forthright, and straight are words with a little more bite to them.

Considering the opposite of truthfulness leads in one direction, deception.

Leaders need to not only be truthful in relationship to followers, they need to be truthful with themselves.

One of the greatest challenges for leaders is to be honest enough with themselves to make the kind of decisions that demonstrate their integrity.

Being truthful with the direction we should take may not always align with our initial plans.

Being truthful with those who are invested in following will not allow us to be self-centered.

Being truthful with God will always lead in paths of righteousness.

The application of truthfulness often falls short because leaders can fall prey to justifying their actions and convincing themselves something is true, when in reality it is false.

Leaders must be careful not to allow good intentions to vindicate pretentious actions.

Be truthful with self, others and God in all areas.

No matter what sporting event on television, there is 100% certainty that at some point there will be an instant replay.

Action is slowed down to carefully examine every angle of a tackle or pass, the pitch or batter’s swing, three point shot or a gliding slam dunk, and the same is true with all other sports.

Several interesting questions are raised when considering instant replay in leadership.

Has there been a time when we said or did something we wish we could rewind and do over?

How would it affect our leadership if we reviewed our words and actions through instant replay?

What would the future look like if we were able to slow down and carefully examine events of the past?

We know it is impossible to rewind time and change the words or actions of the past. What can be done to help implement the appropriate changes?

1) Learn from mistakes of the past.

2) Recognize the warning signs.

3) Think before speaking and acting, especially if anger is present.

More could be said, but this is a starting point for leaders considering an instant replay.

“There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela

We are left to wonder what could really happen if leaders knew how to think big. The passion that drives greatness, especially from a spiritual perspective, can be nothing short of global.

The challenge of settling for less than what we are capable of is only coupled with the limitations placed upon what God is capable of doing through us…if we will only let Him.

We often believe God will not do it because we are convinced we cannot do it.

The “grasshopper syndrome” of the spies in Numbers 13-14 orchestrates our own defeat. The problem was not how the Israelites appeared in the eyes of the giants in Canaan. The problem was in how they saw themselves, grasshoppers in their own sight.

Leaders must not fall prey to this mindset. There must be a passion that is driven by and for greatness, a greatness that is only measured by the power of God to work in amazing and powerful ways.