Last week I finally had opportunity to visit my new granddaughter, Naomi. Even though she is the fourth in the line of grandchildren, she is as special as the first, second, third, and our anticipated fifth. 🙂

Her arrival into this world brought a tremendous amount of joy for her parents and grandparents. However, the name she wears is the legacy I pray she leaves on this world, for Naomi means pleasant.

From the great account of an Old Testament life, impacting the genealogy of the Christ, down to the present, the very thought should find application into our leadership.

The influence we have on others…
The opportunity to serve our God through serving others…
The use of our time for making life better for others…
The legacy we leave behind aiding the life of others…

Leadership is the task of making a difference. The legacy we leave behind will be pleasant when we use our time and opportunities to have a powerful influence in making a better life for others

Our culture revolves around a schedule. The clock dictates the time given every event. Rush hour traffic can be frustrating.

We cannot comprehend eternity because we only know time. The thought of existence without time is beyond our finite minds.

Time was created and measured by evening and morning, the first day. Then we have the first week and God rested on the seventh day. Weeks became months and months became years.

Solomon said there is a time for everything.

Jesus kept a time schedule. From birth to death, Jesus was on God’s time. Paul wrote “in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son.” Approaching the final days of His life, Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come.”

Paul instructs Christians to use their time wisely because the days are evil.

In this crazy, busy, scheduled life we live as leaders, how are we using our time?

The most valuable commodity we have is time. The greatest gift we can give is our time. Leading people requires time. We all have the same amount. How we use it determines the difference we make in leadership.

A few years ago, a friend had to give me a cell phone for me to consider having one. I thought it was ridiculous and rude for people to carry a phone. If someone needed me, they could call me at home.

Now, 10 years later, I am not sure how I would function without my iPhone glued to my hip. Perhaps I should say, glued to my ear.

I am the same guy who could not fathom having a laptop computer. Why would anyone want to carry around a computer? As I write from my laptop I think you get the point.

What changes? Why do we change? Leading technology is providing something better.

Our leadership should be the same.

We need to be open to God’s methods in leading to make life better.

I am far from where I want to be in the way of technological development or leadership. However, I am closer than I was 10 years ago. I hope that as I open myself up to learning technology, I will also be open to God’s word to help me lead in ways that make life better.

What one word would sum up our leadership? One word from the Gospel accounts most characteristic of the life and leadership of Jesus is compassion.

His ministry, His relationship with people, His teaching and miracles were all built on a foundation of compassion.

Compassion is best described as a feeling of sympathy aroused by the distress of others with a desire to get involved and help. It is easy to see how Jesus would be described this way.

Our leadership should be characterized by compassion.

The tougher an environment becomes, the more a leaders’ need for compassion increases. During the challenges of life, the awareness of leadership to the needs of others becomes evident.

Leadership senses must be engaged.
We must be observant to our surroundings.
Our hearts must be touched with the situation of others.
The hands of a compassionate leader must act to help.

Compassion is one of the unique qualities spiritual leaders must possess to be like the great leader we have in Christ.

History and archaeology provide untold stories about life from the past. In a recent article, a young author spoke of shadows left behind after the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. The shadow of an individual and a few objects reflect a legacy of U.S. and Japanese tragic leadership. As I considered the final statement, “leave a legacy,” I was reminded of our role as leaders.

What will remain in the shadow of our leadership 20, 30, 40 or 50 years from now? Is our leadership legacy intentional? Will our leadership be a shield to protect and provide for others? What legacy will we leave?

A legacy of money will eventually be spent.
A legacy of possessions will quickly fade.
A legacy of service will soon be forgotten.
A legacy of security will be destroyed.

Only a spiritual legacy influences this present life and life to come.

How many lives will stand before the throne of God in the shadow of our leadership?

How many will be thankful for an eternal home because of our legacy?

When we have passed from this life, the shadow of our leadership should leave a legacy of eternal glory.

Before Friday, these numbers were not very significant. However, 8.9 now has a profound meaning to everyone on this physical earth.

8.9 reminds us life is fragile.
8.9 reminds us earthly treasures are temporary.
8.9 reminds us God is all powerful.
8.9 reminds us of the need for leadership.

How will leaders in Japan respond to this tragedy? How will the leadership of the world respond?

How will the leadership of the Lord’s church respond?

Tragedy tends to bring opportunity, opportunity most often met with physical provision. Will we be satisfied to send money, food, water, and clothing?

This tragedy should remind us of the opportunity to help people prepare for the ultimate destruction of the earth. It will be an event exceeding 8.9.

The media claimed Japan to be the most prepared nation on earth. Many lives were spared because of the warnings.

God’s word warns us of a great day coming. All will stand before His judgment throne. Are we prepared? Will others be prepared?

Being connected with people is vital to good leadership. One of the great tragedies of any generation is to have a disconnected leadership.

Several elements will help establish connection.

1) A leaders’ life must be transparent.
2) People need something to believe in. Leaders must provide it.
3) Nothing is more powerful than living a consistent life.
4) The greatest connection is made by relating to people individually.
5) Leaders must find ways to genuinely compliment others.

Leaders who are connected lead with passion and integrity. They know and are known by others. Love for others drives a leader’s heart. Reaching the goal motivates a leader’s actions. Staying connected keeps a leader balanced.

News highlights recently seem to be focused on negotiations. Whether the NFL or political / union talks, the practice of negotiating is becoming more common.

Negotiating is an effort to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion with others. Most often, there is “give and take,” thus, compromise.

Spiritual leaders need to exercise caution when it comes to negotiating. Far too often the religious world negotiates God’s word in an attempt to appease a larger majority of people. Recently, in Colorado, several religious organizations have compromised God’s word in an attempt to promote “civil unions,” accepting and advocating homosexual marriages.

Attempts to negotiate the word of God are futile. Efforts to change God’s word will not change what is written in His word.

Spiritual leaders should not move themselves, or others, away from God and His word. Rather, leadership should be an effort toward God and His word.

Perhaps this explains Paul’s words to Timothy, “pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you,” 1 Tim. 4:16.

Last Friday was usual by most standards. Neal Pollard and I set out for a run on the Bear Creek Trail, as we do every other day. However, within a few minutes, Neal noticed an unusual object. As we approached, close enough for a full view, Neal noticed a skunk with its tail raised and ready for defense. As you might imagine, we gave the right away to our furry friend and chose a short detour.

This was not the first time we have encountered obstacles on the trail, but it had our attention. I began thinking how the path of leadership encounters many obstacles.

Obstacles become challenges that often redirect our course.

Obstacles come in all shapes and sizes. Some are more threatening than others. However, there is no doubt obstacles will come.

Neal and I took a short detour to get out of range (if you know what I mean), but we were quickly back on the trail and finished our run.

Obstacles in leadership may cause a short detour, but we must not allow them to prevent us from regaining our focus and reaching our goals.

Communication can be challenging. Primarily, the difficulty involves understanding. We tend to think, if we speak the same language, others understand what we are trying to say. Communicating is even more difficult if we believe others can or should read our minds. Let’s call it, reading between the lines.

Words are powerful. However, the true effectiveness of words involves understanding.

We know exactly what we mean with every word.
We understand the intent behind every word.

However, others do not know and understand, unless we communicate more effectively. Every leader must constantly work to improve communication.

The ability to communicate our vision and goals, or resolve conflict is necessary to the success of leadership.

A few basic communication tips may help.

1) Learn to listen. Never try to read between the lines or be thinking of what to say next.
2) Repeat back what was heard. This allows the individual speaking to know if they were understood correctly.
3) Ask questions. Asking questions helps clarify areas we may not have heard correctly.
4) Think before responding. Take a moment to consider a proper response to make certain we are understood.