Beauty, Health, Fit. These three words headline a satellite network program.

The idea speaks of the concept of image within our culture. We are all victims to some degree of this struggle.

We are concerned about the way we look and feel. We are also consumed with the way others look at us and think about us.

Several problems are presented.

First, most people want to find an easy way to an image without paying the price.

Second, cultural influences tend to dictate the direction of general thinking.

Third, the promotion of worldliness, rather than godliness, becomes normal.

From the standpoint of spiritual leadership, we need to learn the road of leadership is not easy. Leaders will always be in the minority.

The more secular our world becomes, the less God will be a part of it. As culture strives to remove God and replace Him with self, the challenge of image creates greater struggles for leadership.

Paul speaks against allowing worldliness to shape our behavior and the need for God’s word to shape our minds and conduct.

Lead as though our image depended on it… because it does.

When we think about spiritual leadership, it extends far beyond the concept of some executive position. The concept is more than a title or even a responsibility. It can involve all of above.

However, spiritual leadership extends to every person. It is about changing lives. Today is a new day. This day is one God has given each of us. The opportunities of this day are opportunities to change the lives of those we meet.

There are people we will meet today we meet everyday, perhaps for years. How can will change their life?

There are people we may meet today we have never met before… and may never meet again. Can we influence them in a way to change their life forever?

Let us all take advantage of the opportunities God provides to change lives. I promise you it will not only change their life, but it will change ours.

I love traveling with my wife. The time together is invaluable. We talk about various issues in our lives and in the church. We laugh together. Sometimes we cry together. We even work out the problems we have between us. She is an awesome traveling companion. The time we share is what makes the journey so wonderful. No matter how long or how short the trip I love the journey together.

Leadership should be the same. At times, we are so focused on the goals we forget the journey.

The journey is where we discuss the various issues.

The journey is where we laugh and cry together.

The journey is where we work out the problems, personal and professional.

The journey is about invaluable time together.

We are growing to know each other better. Finally, after reaching the goal, when we look back, perhaps we will realize it is all about the relationships built on the journey.

As a leader, make sure your traveling companions are ones you love making the journey with… together.

I have to admit I love old reruns. Recently, I came across one of Big Valley. Do you remember Nick Barkley?

On this episode I heard a statement I thought was worth repeating and giving thought to regarding leadership. Victoria Barkley (matriarch of the family) said, “I would rather die for a cause than to live without one.” Think about the depth of this statement.

Far too often people live their lives without any understanding of THE cause worth dying for on earth. Sadly, most people live without any cause at all.

For many, life has become mundane to the routine of work, coming home to a few chores, watching a few hours of television, going to bed and starting all over. Seemingly, life’s only purpose surrounds living for the weekend. Perhaps saddest of all, it is to the exclusion of God.

If this sounds like your life, it is time to reevaluate. Spiritual leadership demands we know THE cause that requires our life. No, we may not physically die. However, if we are not willing to live for the cause of Christ, it is certain we would never be willing to die for Him.

Validation – “to demonstrate or support the truth or value of something.”

Children are in constant need of validation. With each summersault our granddaughter performs (even with a little assistance), we all clap and cheer. The smile on her face shows the validation.

Each time our grandson takes a book and begins leading a song, or asks to say a prayer, or takes a microphone and begins to preach, we are quick to issue an extreme level of praise. The result is validation.

Maturing into adulthood does not change the need for validation. In leadership we need to be aware of the need for validation.

We need to be quick to issue praise for the accomplishments of those around us.

We need to validate good behavior publicly and reprimand bad behavior privately.

When we validate the achievements of others our leadership grows. Why? Because validating others demonstrates the value they possess and provide.

I am constantly observing how our children work to train our grandchildren with proper etiquette. Every time one of the grandchildren ask for something; the parents question them. What do you say? After a little coaching, comes a word that sounds something like please. After receiving what they ask for, the question comes again. What do you say? Again, something closely associated with thank you is the response.

At such a young age, do children understand the concept of gratitude, or is it a matter of developing a habit? Parents hope by developing such habits at an early age, an understanding of the concepts will follow.

The idea provides a valuable lesson for leadership. There will be times when it is hard to understand why we are involved in developing certain habits. However, the continual activity in developing certain habits formulates our leadership and the understanding will follow.

Socrates said, “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.”

Over the past few days my wife and I have enjoyed being around our granddaughter. There are many lessons I have learned from watching her with application to leadership.

One, she is an explorer. Wherever we are she begins an adventure. She wants to look behind every door and see what is on the other side.

Second, she never meets a stranger. She finds her way around to greet everyone with a smile. If you are paying attention, you might even get a hug. She loves everyone who will look and the influence is noticeable.

Third, she knows how to lead. I love the way she walks up and takes me by the hand to lead me where she wants me to go.

I believe you get the picture. As leaders, we need to be adventurers, looking behind every door, exploring all possibilities. We should always greet others, no matter who they are, and learn how to influence them by our love. Perhaps above all, we need to learn the gentle nature of leading others by the hand. It is much easier than getting behind and pushing.

Traveling brings many challenges to the concept of staying connected. I am constantly looking for some way, anyway to get connected to the internet. There is always a need to send and/or receive e-mail. Family, friends, work, and others make up a list of those I connect with daily. However, connection extends beyond a technological method of communication.

Parents need to be connected to their children.

Employers need to be connected to their employees.

Teachers need to be connected to their students.

Elders need to be connected to the members within a congregation.

Leadership involves the concept of connection.

Connecting to people means…

1) Being transparent so others know us.

2) Getting involved in the lives of others, one at a time and personally.

3) Consistency in our treatment of others.

4) Giving people something to believe in.

Remember, as others have said; “before asking for the hand, first touch the heart.” Reaching others emotionally is where connection begins. Considering our leadership, are we connected?

I remember the first time I drank a Grape Nehi and an Orange Crush. I thought, there is nothing quite like it.

I also remember the first time I drove a car and thought the same.

There are hundreds of experiences in life that tend to be so unique there is really nothing else quite like it.

There is nothing quite like the first day of school.

There is nothing quite like the first date.

There is nothing quite like the first time we say, “I love you.”

There is nothing quite like hearing it.

There is nothing quite like the first job.

As well, there is nothing quite like the day we become a Christian.

There is also nothing quite like leadership. We are all leading someone. The question is “where?” We cannot make excuses when it comes to leadership. Instead, we need to step up and take responsibility for our leadership and lead as God would have us lead. There is nothing else quite like it.

The question demands consideration in every area of life.

When deciding where to live and raise a family, does it matter?

When choosing a career, does it matter?

When examining the influence of our attitudes and actions on the world around us, does it matter?

When approaching scripture, does it matter?

When viewing the spiritual wellbeing of each soul, does it matter?

The answer we give to each question has an impact on the choice and direction of our leadership. We must realize it does matter.

We must give greater thought to our approach in leadership, because it does matter.

The souls all around us depend on our realization that it does matter.
It matters greatly!