“No one ever finds life worth living—he has to make it worth living.” Unknown

Wow! However we make application, this statement is powerful. The value of life is determined not by what we find, but what we make.

Leadership is not about finding worth, hoping others will follow. It’s about making life worth living for those who are following.

Our task is to make the rough path smooth and the crooked straight. It is not easy, but it is worth it.

We live in a dysfunctional society. Families, schools, businesses, government, religions, and more, are dysfunctional, i.e. they are not functioning properly.

Too many are spending their time searching. As a society, we are trying to find something of value.

Instead, we need to lead and make life worth living. Our role is to give hope. Our work is of such a nature, we cannot allow the world around us to influence and direct our thinking. We must use the opportunities we are given to help others see the “so what?” and the “now what?” in life. The answers to these questions are what make life worth living.

These two words are connected to several thoughts. In a wedding ceremony they are part of the vows exchanged, as the conclusion states “until death do you part.”

We also find these words used by Jesus in speaking to the church at Smyrna, as He concluded “…be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.”

The idea behind the usage of these words indicates a level of dedication. There is an understanding of commitment deeply tied to this phrase.

I find it also significant to notice the reward stated by Jesus is only given to those who hold true to their dedication and commitment.

In several areas of life, even leadership, when difficulties arise, events change, distractions and interruptions occur, or someone fails to measure up to expectations, our culture looks to bail.

Consider the difference that could be made if we all honored our commitments.

Can you imagine the lives we could change by having hearts with such dedication?

There is much to be said for men and women who build on a foundation defined by these two words…until death!

The Bible is filled with examples of those who served as leaders. Examining them reveals a wealth of information regarding the motive, attitude, and activity of leadership.

Noah is one of the first I look to in leadership. Why Noah? He never led a large group of people; his wife, three sons and their spouses. One might even discount his leadership, arguing they were family.

Look closer at Noah and his leadership.

Character: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.” Very few in scripture could match his character.

Ability to follow: The text of Genesis emphasizes that Noah did all the Lord commanded. Noah followed God. Before anyone can lead they must learn to follow.

Fortitude: Noah was a preacher of righteousness. His tenure was 120 years during the building of the ark. While he never converted anyone else, neither was he swayed from his work. Leaders must stand on what is right, even if they must stand alone.

Perhaps we could say more, but these three areas show Noah to be an example of a great Biblical leader.

To improve is to work at making someone or something better.

Athletes practice daily, working to improve their skills. They are working to get better.

Professionally, people take continuing education classes in an attempt to improve their abilities at whatever level needed. We should desire to be a learner, improving our minds and abilities.

Religiously, we follow the teaching of Paul in being renewed daily. Doing so improves our abilities to fulfill God’s will for our lives.

For spiritual leaders, our role is to lead in ways we can improve others. Our leadership must not be about us. It is about others. It is about leading them down paths of improvement.

When we improve life spiritually, the physical side of the equation cannot help but improve. We improve the lives of others when we:

…share the hope found in Christ,
…point to the reward of heaven,
…and teach application in word and deed.

We all need to improve. The challenge is learning to understand the greatest way we can improve ourselves is by improving the life of others. Think Souls!

Make sound and timely decisions.

We have talked about being decisive in the past. The principle is timeless. However, there are two key elements to this principle we need to develop.

The first element involves sound decisions. The soundness of a decision is subjective, based on the moral compass of the individual. From a spiritual leadership perspective, the soundness of one’s decisions is based on a Biblical compass. The word of God provides spiritual leaders with the foundation upon which all decisions are made.

The second element involves the word timely. We have all heard, and perhaps experienced, the idea of “timing is everything.” With much prayer and study, spiritual leaders seek to make decisions in keeping with God’s timing. Our impatient, or even impetuous, approach to decisions can create greater difficulty in our leadership. Learning to allow God’s timing to develop will help us in making sound decisions.

When we make decisions that are both sound and timely, our leadership develops greater credibility.

We should also remember that the ability to make sound and timely decisions more consistently comes with the gaining of wisdom.

“Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.” Thomas J. Watson, Sr.

When we examine our day to day activities we need to ask ourselves; “how well am I leading myself?”

We are nearly a full week into the new year.

Are we still resolved to keep those resolutions we committed to at 11:59 last Saturday night?

Have we established specific plans for 2012?

Do the plans fit into our short / long term goals?

Are we disciplined enough to use each day to finish, and finish strong?

We are all going to influence others. We are leaders.

Now is the time for us to understand the power of our influence and make proper application to leading “self.”

Make 2012 the year of developing self-discipline, a year of mastering self. By doing so, we develop greater abilities to lead others. Perhaps this is why Paul told Timothy, “pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching…for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”

We could list several reasons why people are resistant to change, from being comfortable with the status quo to fear of drifting from the truth.

Perhaps we should emphasize not all change is good, but not all change is bad either.

Change for the sake of change is not always the right approach.

Biblically, the idea of change is found in the word “repentance.” We make a masterful change in life when we choose to follow Jesus as Lord. As Christians, we continue to make changes as we grow and mature.

The problem we often face in leadership addresses the traditions of how “things” have been done for the past umpteen years.

Again, traditions are not bad, unless we are so bound to them we place them on a level at or above God’s word.

Our methods (NOT THE MESSAGE) may need to be changed. I am not advocating change just to do things differently, but if the change increases interest and involvement, if it does not violate God’s word, then why would we resist?

It may just be good food for thought.

We have all heard someone say, or perhaps said ourselves “just a second.” Usually, it is the catch phrase we use when we are busy and someone else (generally our children) is asking for our attention.

Just a second…

The value of time is a matter of perspective. In the mind of a child, time is really incomprehensible. However, the value of time is priceless.

For adults, all we know and comprehend is time. We even measure distance by how long it takes to reach our destination. However, the value we place on time is based on what we can earn in a space of time.

Of all people, spiritual leaders not only need to comprehend the idea of time, but they must place a greater value on time.

A time is coming when the existence of time will no longer exist. We really cannot comprehend the idea of eternity. What we do need to understand is how we use our time now determines our eternity.

Make the most of your time…Think Souls!

The English word and Greek word translated “devoted” have similarities, but their is a powerful difference.

The English definition speaks of being loving and loyal, but the Greek involves “insisting on staying close to someone or something.”

I understand that to be loving and loyal involves being close to someone or something. However, the power is seen in the first part of the Greek definition; “insisting on staying close.” Devoted spiritual leaders will…

…insist on staying close to people. Through a leader’s devotion they learn the needs of the people closest to them, followers. Helping others get to heaven demands a leader’s devotion.

…insist on staying close to the plan. The plan is really the map. It helps everyone know how to reach the goal. Leaders must not deviate from the plan, or the goal is unreachable.

…insist on staying close to the Lord. Leaders know the true source of their strength is not in themselves, but the Lord.

Through a leader’s devotion to the Lord, the plan, and the people who follow, a foundation is being laid to great achievement.

Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.

Leadership involves responsibility. The higher one goes in leadership, the greater the responsibility. Others have said, the greater the responsibility, the fewer the rights.

We could say we live in a culture where taking responsibility is not an acceptable practice. We could also say we live in a culture where the common practice involves blaming others.

The problem is not cultural. This practice has been in place since the beginning of creation. When questioned by God about eating from the tree He had forbidden, Adam blamed Eve (and God for the woman He gave). Eve blamed the serpent. We have not changed much as people in the twenty-first century.

Leadership seeks responsibility and takes responsibility for their actions.

It is an interesting and powerful thought: leaders give credit to the team when there is victory, but take full responsibility in defeat.

Rarely do we find such integrity in leadership. Yet, when we, as leaders, seek responsibility and take responsibility for our actions our influence grows. The result? People will follow!