“Don’t worry about what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

What is it we are passionate about? Are there areas we cannot stop doing, regardless of the consequences? Do we find ourselves involved in certain activities for hours without any thought to the time? What is the driving force in our lives?

When we understand the answers, we know what breathes life and purpose into our existence.

The spiritual matters of the kingdom must be the foundation for this passion. When seeking the kingdom of God is a priority, when reaching out to the lost is the purpose of each breath, when worship of our God and Savior is at the heart of our activity, and when a love for understanding the truth drives us deeper into His word, we are setting in place the building blocks of passionate leadership.

Take a few moments and pray that God will help us use these four areas as the basis for being alive. The world will naturally see the results.

One post, or even a series of posts, would never suffice to cover the details involved in God’s mission.

Yet, there is nothing, as it relates to leadership, of more importance than God’s mission.

From Genesis through Revelation, God has guided, directed, moved, ushered, and advanced His will through individuals and nations to ultimately provide an avenue to reconcile all of humanity to Himself through Jesus.

The lessons presented throughout the Bible help us understand a direction for leading God’s people today based on the divine principles practiced throughout this history.

Humility, courage, trust, and service are all characteristics found in leaders through whom God displayed His power, wisdom and presence.

The key is seeing where God’s mission is at work today and participating with what He is already doing. The fact that we are fellow workers with God emphasizes a beautiful relationship.

Leaders need to be active in pursuing the work God is involved in and participate in the activity that honors and glorifies Him.

Success is the result of fulfilling God’s will on earth. Let us live to carry out His mission.

“What parents excuse in moderation, children will abuse in excess.” The home is the place where leadership begins.

The hearts and minds of our children are sculpted from a very young age. Our influence is far greater than we can imagine, until we begin to see and hear the expressions of our influence in the lives of our children.

Because this is true, as parents, we need to give serious consideration to the words and activities expressed in our own lives.

This post is not for the purpose of proclaiming what is right or wrong. Rather, the purpose is to share a perspective of an individual who has seen it in his own children and now observing it through them in his grandchildren.

We need to set the kind of standards within our home we are comfortable with seeing our children live out in excess. We face enough challenges in battling the worldly influence surrounding us. Why take chances on setting an example that questions the biblical precedence of a godly man or woman?

The type of movies we watch, use of alcohol, language expressed, activities we participate in, and a hundred more. Use the home as a refuge that is sanctified by the teachings of God’s word.

Leadership is about people; not just any people, but people searching for a promise from our heavenly Father.

People consist of young and old, male and female. They are tall and short, large and small, and everywhere in between.

People come from different racial, educational, emotional, religious, and financial backgrounds.

These backgrounds contribute to the thought processes determining their words and actions. Even when people live within the same neighborhood, there are differences among them.

The task before all leaders involves determining how to influence people. The results are physical and spiritual in nature.

Physically, leaders desire to provide the help people need to endure the difficulties brought on by the daily challenges of life.

Spiritually, leaders focus their priorities on laying a godly foundation to influence people with the goal of reaching heaven.

What determines the direction people follow depends on the ability of leaders to provide a combination of both physical and spiritual. Remember, there are times the spiritual need cannot be met until the physical. We find a great biblical pattern to follow in Jesus.

How does the past influence the direction of our current mindset and goals for the future?

We are all shaped in one way or another by the events of the past. These take the form of past teaching, experience, and influence. Each of these categories can be found as either positive or negative as we consider the shaping nature of the past.

Paul was an apostle whose past molded his character and in a way that God could use to provide an example for the whole of Christianity. His family heritage, academic credentials, knowledge of Old Testament scripture, and zealous persecution of the church, were all a part of a past he would not forget.

However, he did not allow the past to dictate the direction of his future. Paul’s focus was now spiritually designed and heavenly directed.

We cannot relive the past and we cannot change it. As leaders, we must learn from the past in order to prevent repeating areas that hinder our Christian example.

The challenges of yesterday need to be left in the past. Let us redirect our attention with a spiritual and heavenly focus.

“Some people believe that holding on and hanging in there are signs of strength, but there are times in life when it takes much more strength just to let go.” Ann Landers

Please do not confuse this post as supportive of Ann Landers. Regardless of personal opinion, the quote has merit.

Leaders will experience times when their strength must be demonstrated through holding on and hanging in there. The ability to endure is a biblical characteristic required for the faithful of God. Our faith will be challenged and trials are inevitable, and it is during these times, we must learn to persevere; hold on and hang in there.

The other side of this thought is worth considering also. Fear, worry, confusion and doubt are elements that cause us to hang on when we need to let go. The adage, “Let go, and let God,” is one we should adopt. When experiencing the anticipation of challenge events, God says, “Let it go and turn it over to Me.”

Leaders need the strength to hold on and hang in there, but they also need to possess the strength to let go.

Napoleon is credited with saying, “leaders are dealers in hope.”

After spending several hours contacting numerous shelters seeking housing for someone in need, an overwhelming realization of the hopeless condition among a large segment of our population was apparent.

According to a 2009 report from the National Coalition for the Homeless, approximately 3.5 million people will experience homelessness. A 2013 report from Frontsteps claims 633,782 people experience homelessness on any given night in the U.S. Additional reports indicate these numbers increase yearly.

Statistics concerning domestic violence, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse reveal millions of homes face these situations every day.

We quickly understand how people begin to feel hopeless. A number of explanations could be given as to the cause for this condition. The need, however, is for leaders to provide a measure of hope.

Leaders extend hope by learning to listen and expressing concern.

Leaders need to offer hope that someone is trustworthy.

Leaders possess a responsibility that goes beyond words and demonstrates care by action.

People will follow leaders who provide hope.

Leadership begins in the home. The greatest opportunities for influence occur within the confines of the four walls where we live.

A friend of mine, Paul Krier, recently began a series of posts entitled “40 Days of Prayer for Our Kids.” While reading through the posts each day and thinking about the need to pray for our children, the idea of leadership in the home manifested itself, so a few posts seemed fitting.

From the time children arise in the morning to the time they lay their heads down to sleep, teaching moments are everywhere.

The air that we breathe, the food we eat, the opportunity to see the sunrise, the ability to move our fingers and toes, witnessing God’s creation come to life, and hundreds more, are all moments to teach our children about the existence of God and His love for us.

Leadership in the home certainly includes more than teachable moments, as we will consider in the weeks ahead, but these moments furnish a powerful place to start.

As we pray for “Our Kids,” let us also take appropriate action to lead them.

The idea of a leadership path takes on several dimensions worth considering.

The path is characterized by a distinct contrast associated with choice. Jesus claims the broad path leads to destruction and the narrow path, though challenging, leads to eternal life.

Opportunities are associated with choosing to walk the right path. These opportunities are connected to short- and long-term planning that help us achieve success.

One of the most important areas to consider when choosing the path we are going to walk is the tools we carry to help us along the journey. A few necessary thoughts to consider:

Remove the blinders. An awareness of where we are, what takes place around us, who needs help along the way, and a willingness to get involved is vital to walking a godly path.

Avoid distractions. Know the areas that are distracting and learn to avoid those areas. Distractions slow us down and lure us off the path.

Stay focused. The determination to stay focused will make a difference in staying on the path. The right focus reminds us of the purpose behind our walk.

Internal and external challenges face every leader. These challenges cause leaders to question their ability, opportunity, position and purpose in leadership.

Confidence in one’s ability diminishes when leaders experience failure, suffer discouragement, or they are harshly criticized by others.

When leaders face this challenge they need to approach each area carefully.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal” is a powerful thought expressed by Winston Churchill. The only time failure is fatal is when we give up. Recognizing this helps us redirect our thinking when success is beyond our reach.

Suffering discouragement generally follows moments of failure. When discouragement takes root, if it is strong enough, we quit. Learning how to overcome discouragement begins by evaluating the cause and seeking help to address it.

Criticism, even when harshly given, provides growth benefits if we are able to see it this way. We cannot change the motives of those who criticize, but we can choose how we respond. Instead of “reacting,” we need to “act” appropriately as a spiritual leader. Stay out of the box!

While these are limited ideas, overcoming the challenge is possible.