A Google image search for optical illusions displays a number interesting images that at first glance show a certain image, but a closer look reveals something completely different. Minutes turn into hours quickly with the fascination of one picture after another that stretches our imagination.

While the idea behind these images lends to several directions regarding leadership, one primary thought comes to mind: vision.

When we look at the world around us, what do we see?

When we look at our friends, what do we see?

When we look at our families, what do we see?

When we look at the church, what do we see?

When we look at ourselves, what do we see?

Our vision strongly affects the way we see others and ourselves. Depending on the existence of an optical illusion that may or may not be present, our vision is foundational to the understanding of and approach to the urgency placed before us.

At first glance, we may see one thing, but a closer look reveals the image of God uniquely created in each person. Think Souls!

“In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be, by remaining what we are.” Max DePree

The idea of today’s thought is a favorite. Leaders are those who continually work to examine their life and implement changes to improve who and where they are.

Reflecting on the consequences of remaining in our present situation should cause us to be active in overcoming the stagnate condition that ultimately ends in death.

Becoming what we need to be is an indication of three key thoughts.

1) God is the primary mover in shaping and developing our influence as leaders.

2) His word is the tool by which we understand the components involved in the process.

3) Our open and submissive heart benefits us as God fills us and His Word guides us.

Our daily prayer needs to include a request for God to help us have the vision to see what He wants us to be, to make us what we need to be, and to never be content with remaining what we are.

A snapshot of a moment in time displays a visual image of more than we can often express in words. The same is true when we consider the mental picture taken by others when they see our Christianity displayed for the world to see.

A complement to any Christian is found in the reflection of our Savior through every word and deed. The activity of life is not based on fulfilling a set list of rules and regulations, but rather the inward being of character that is expressed in an outward demonstration of activity.

Paul wrote it this way, “Be an imitator of me as I am of Christ” (1 Co. 11:1).

Our leadership should also be a reflection of our Christian character. The more we grow in our imitation of Christ, the greater the reflection in our leadership.

When leaders are focused on demonstrating a Christ-like image the greatness of God’s kingdom is exemplified and the common good of humanity is identified.

A few minutes each day prepares a lasting image that is a picture worth keeping.

Approaching our final post describing biblical precedents draws attention to the precedent of leadership in the life of the apostle Paul.

While several areas represent the qualities of leadership demonstrated by Paul, one specific area is the focus of our post: flexibility (read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Notice the driving force of Paul’s flexibility: “so that I might win…by all means save some.” Nothing took greater precedence in his life than leading others to Christ.

Notice there was no compromise to the truth: “not without the law of God, but under the law of Christ.” The “anything goes” approach was unacceptable. At all times Paul was in submission to Jesus.

Notice the flexibility of personal choice: “I do all things for the sake of the gospel.” Loyalty to Christ was never abandoned, but in matters of personal choice or opinion, he was flexible.

The point of this precedent is to show Paul’s heart to always put others above himself. He desired only to glorify God, honor Jesus, and reach others with the saving message of the gospel. If Christians modeled this biblical precedent today, we could change the world.

Few words are more powerful and significant for leadership character than this one. The depth of an individual’s character is determined by the level of trust.

We often speak of the need to place our trust in God, and there is great biblical support (Pro. 3:5-6).

Considering the reverse idea of trust raises a few interesting questions: Can God trust us? To love His church? To be a good student of His Word? To reach out to nonChristians? To make the right choices?

Will others trust us? To lead with consistency? To demonstrate competence? To be connected?

We could obviously ask more questions, but a healthy consideration of how we would answer these few questions is convicting.

Paul claimed “…it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Co. 4:2).

As stewards of the mysteries revealed in God’s word, are we worthy of God’s trust?

Reading about the people of God outlined in Hebrews 11 provides us a foundation for what trustworthy character looks like.

Let us strive to develop a character that is worthy of trust: God’s and other’s.

Procrastination is one of the most destructive habits of leaders.  The idea has become “why do today what can be put off until tomorrow?”

Another concern is one of spiritual priorities. The tendency is to put off obedience to the Gospel, sharing Jesus with others, or developing a plan for personal growth and development.

Why is it easy to procrastinate in essential areas of life? Are we convinced that waiting until tomorrow, or until later, makes it possible to avoid responsibility?

Only you and I can answer these questions. We must, however, give thought to the importance and value of the present moment we are given.

Scripture speaks with an emphasis upon the present moment. Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” Jesus said, “Seek first His kingdom…do not worry about tomorrow.” Paul said, “Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.”

These few places express a sense of urgency.

We need to ask “why put off until tomorrow, what we can do today?” Let us lead as if today is the only day we are given.

“We are either all in, or we are not in at all.” Dale Babinsky

Part-time, half-time, when we’ve got time, or its a convenient time is the way too many have approached their relationship with God.

In a powerful chapel lesson, graduating senior Dale Babinsky delivered a message from Joshua 24 that emphasized how challenges demand we make a choice.

The whole of Christianity has never been about a list of rules and regulations to be fulfilled as if checking something off a list.

We should never ask, “should I do this or not?” When our lives are governed by “Christ, who is our life” (Col. 3:4), the words and actions that form our character are based on a life of “being,” not one narrowed to a list of things to do.

We constantly reflect the character of Jesus as He shapes our life. An attempt to keep one foot in Christ and one foot in the world is futile and cannot take us to a higher level in our spiritual development.

When we choose to serve the Lord, we make a choice to be “all in.”

Righteousness is a word from the Old and New Testaments that speaks to our relationship with God.

David knew God to be the great shepherd that guided him in the paths of righteousness, and then includes “for His name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3).

We are to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Mt. 5:6), our righteousness is to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 5:20), and we are to seek first His righteousness (Mt. 6:33).

Perhaps, the most significant for Christians shows how Jesus, who knew no sin, was made sin on our behalf so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Co. 5:21).

These are only a few verses expressing the nature of this word. The guide for our life, food for our soul, ethical character, and priority of life are framed by the righteousness Jesus made possible through His death.

God should trust and the world should know that our choices are for the sake of righteousness. Before any decision is acted upon, consideration of the quality of our righteousness must be considered.

Is it right with God?

The life of Jesus established several precedents for the purpose of characterizing our leadership.

One of the major precedents exemplified by Jesus was His pursuit of God’s will. Numerous times we find Jesus claiming that He did not come to do His will, but the will of the One who sent Him.

One of the most famous statements made by Jesus is found in the garden during the intense agony of knowing the outcome awaiting. Here, in this moment with the Father, He cries out, “if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

His submission to the will of the Father provides us with a precedent the remainder of scripture reminds us to follow.

Our prayers should express our desire to follow according to the will of our Father.

Our suffering directly demonstrates the example of Jesus’ suffering.

Our daily walk should reflect the teachings of His will outlined throughout His word.

Examining the precedents established by Jesus explains how we might characterize our own lives in setting a precedent for others.

Go ahead and look it up. The background of this word is in biology and the meaning is significant to the role of leadership.

Ontogeny is the process of an individual organism growing organically.

Thinking of the church as an organization creates numerous challenges to the living and growing organism God intended.

By contrasting what the church is and is not, Eddie Cloer describes the church as “a living organism. The church which Christ established is living and vibrant with God’s life and blessings; it is not a manmade group which is energized completely by man’s wisdom, designs, and activities” (1993, 17).

We understand the need to care for, protect, provide, and strengthen plants, animals, and human life because they are living organisms and proper growth only occurs when we put these areas into practice.

How much more so would God want us to demonstrate the same toward His church?

Even if we never see the word “ontogeny” again, and you may be praying you do not, let us practice the necessary areas to produce growth of the one organism that required the life of Jesus.

Cloer, Eddie. 1993. What Is “The Church?” Resource Publications: Searcy.