If it sounds like I am complaining…well, maybe I am. However, we all reach points in life where we just want to take a break, get away, relax, recharge, and recuperate to some degree.

The question should not be when do I get a break, but why do I need a break?

Stress! The number one reason for needing a break is the stress of work, family, responsibilities, etc. Because stress takes its toll mentally, emotionally and spiritually, we need to be aware of how to deal with and overcome stress.

Time! Between work and family, time is a precious commodity. The world does not seem to be slowing down. To hesitate can put us behind where we need to be. If we could just slow down we might find the time we use is more productive.

Fatigue! Everyone gets tired. Too often, we tend to overwork, overeat, exercise less, stay up late, get up early, and push to beat the deadlines. The result brings fatigue.

We all need to think about the warning signs and learn when to take a break to better prepare ourselves to lead.

Before we can answer the question, we have to know what the “it” is talking about.

Do we have the heart for leadership? Our leadership is about influence, passion, character, vision and much more. If we have the heart for leadership then we do what is necessary to prepare ourselves in each area to grow and develop appropriately.

Do we have the heart for challenges? Without exception, leaders are going to face challenges. While some will always be more difficult than others, they are challenges nonetheless. When we have the heart for challenges, we begin preparing before the challenge happens. We also seek wise counsel before making decisions affecting the challenge.

Do we have the heart for people? Good leadership involves people and no two people are the same. Having a heart for people means being a part of their lives and being transparent to them with our own. Connecting with people raises leadership to incredible heights and makes an eternal difference.

Not everyone has the heart for it. However, those who have a heart for leadership change the shape of tomorrow.

What is the latest project you have been working on in your career, personal life or family?

How would you evaluate the progress of the project?

Have you determined when the project will be completed?

Will the project have benefit to others, or is it just a matter of personal satisfaction?

Why did you start this project originally?

Did you determine what it would cost to complete the project?

Do you have the same enthusiasm for the project as when you started?

When do you make time for working on the project?

Does the project come before family, friends, or work?

Who else knows about the project and how did they learn about it?

Where do you hope to be when the project is completed?

Is there a possibility the project has distracted you from the most important purpose in life?

I know I have asked numerous questions, but our projects can help or hinder us in our leadership. If we are not asking the right questions, we may even be unaware of the affect our projects have on our relationship with others.

I used to help build houses. It amazed me how few construction workers gave thought to the person who came behind them in the work. They appeared to be trying to get the work done quickly, save as much time or money as possible, and let whoever comes next worry about it.

We must guard against such attitudes in leadership.

Souls are at stake and if we are not considering what and who comes next, then the structure will not last.

As preachers, do we consider the preacher who follows us in a congregation? Are we thinking about the challenges they will face because of our decisions?

Elders, what comes next when you resign or pass away? What condition will the leadership of the church be in when the current eldership is gone?

Deacons, the same is true for you. What comes next in the church when you are no longer serving?

The list could go on, but I think you understand. We need to be thinking NOW about who will follow us and work to resolve necessary issues, so that who comes next will enjoy something better.

“It is difficult to see the hand of God at work in our lives, if the only place we ever go is to the super market and the service station.” Dorsey Traw

Nothing is more powerful than seeing God’s hand at work in our lives. The sheer joy of looking at past or present situations and knowing opportunities have been opened.

Considering the depth of brother Traw’s statement is a reminder of how limited or reclusive life can become when the only places we visit are narrowed down to one or two.

Leadership never takes place in seclusion. Our influence as leaders is directly related to being involved in the lives of others. Here is where the real heart of seeing God’s hand at work changes our perspective.

If we are ever going to make a dent in the spiritual transformation of the world around us, then we must get out and get involved in making a difference in the lives of people.

I urge us all to pray more fervently, lift up our eyes and look for the opportunities, and step up to lead others to our Lord.

One of the great blessings of working at Bear Valley is hearing men speak during chapel. Recently, Wayne Roberts came and delivered a wonderful lesson where he shared advice he had been given over the years.

He noted one specific area I want to focus on in today’s post. It was advice given by Ed Wharton several years ago regarding the need to pay attention to the little details of scripture.

Spiritual leadership involves a number of significant areas within the church and our world. It can be easy to lose sight of the little details only to focus on what appears to be the much larger, big picture, ideas of scripture and the work.

There are times it may be a word, phrase, or suggestion, but paying attention to those little details brings a wealth of blessings to our leadership. We will find it also provides a great blessing to those who are following.

While we are pouring the time over scripture in study this week, let us make sure to spend time to observe and pay attention to the little details God intends for us to learn.

God reminded the children of Israel, on more than one occasion, not to forget all He had done for them by bringing them into the promised land. His concern was over an area we continue to struggle with today, i.e. thinking pridefully.

God did not want Israel to believe it was by the strength of their own hands they accomplished victory, but to remember their dependence upon the Almighty.

Our world today continually fights this battle of dependence, or perhaps, independence.

On an international level, countries strive to achieve independence. They want to  stand on their own, make their own way, and establish their own direction.

On a professional level, several areas of independence are demonstrated in the business world as individuals and companies work for the same.

On a personal level, if we are not careful, we train our children with the same mindset. We want them to grow up and learn how to make it on their own.

From a leadership perspective, we need to be teaching how to be dependent upon God and let Him take care of the rest, rather than independent.

The culture of our world seems to focus on the opposite of unity. Interestingly enough, it appears that the idea of unity in diversity appeals to most people. Somehow, everyone wants to “agree to disagree” and still have unity.

This mindset is really the result of a postmodern development where the thought of absolute truth does not exist. Therefore, whatever is truth for one person may not be truth for another. Thus, we are comfortable with agreeing to disagree.

From the standpoint of opinions, I have no problem with being united even in the midst of disagreement. However, I do have a problem with unity at the cost of the integrity of truth in God’s word.

Doctrine trumps my opinion, and if we disagree, either one of us is right and the other wrong, or we are both wrong. We cannot both be right and disagree on the sound words of the faith.

Leaders need to be more diligent to make sure truth is stood on firmly, proclaimed boldly, and followed explicitly. Only then can we be united as God designed for the church.

Recently a thought was suggested to a group of men I was privileged to be among, and it has powerful implications.

If the Lord were to require of you and me that we could not go to heaven until we converted 1,000 souls to Christ, what would we do?

I should state at this point, even though it should be obvious, this is not a matter of simply dunking people in water and claiming (since they have been baptized) they are converted.

With that out of the way, what would you and I really do?

I know this is not the Lord’s requirement, but if it were, would we not stop everything we are doing and start diligently trying to share the gospel with others?

Why do we allow ourselves to think we have plenty of time when the Lord could come now, or those we want to reach might die?

What will it take for me to realize the urgency of eternity? When will I recognize the reality of hell?

Life is too short to focus on the here and now. Lead people to see the hereafter! Think Souls!

“Leaders strengthen credibility by demonstrating that they are not in it for themselves; instead, they have the interests of the institution, department, or team and its constituents at heart. Being a servant may not be what many leaders had in mind when they choose to take responsibility for the vision and direction of their organization or team, but serving others is the most glorious and rewarding of all leadership tasks.” — James Kouzes and Barry Posner

I know I have posted several times about the idea of servant leadership. However, when I read the quote above, I could not help but see the power of finding a secular source that identifies a Biblical truth.

We need to examine the necessity of being servants in our leadership. By such action, we demonstrate how others are more important than ourselves and that we see their needs above our own.

I do not intend to reiterate areas we have already discussed, but we change lives when we show them we are willing to “wash their feet.”