How many children spend the last few days before Christmas counting the minutes until this special day arrives? Regardless of the reason, children eagerly anticipate the moment they gaze upon the presents specifically situated under a brilliantly decorated tree.

While the season is often characterized as an exploitation of commercialization, children tend to see through a completely different set of eyes.

Something special exists in the mind of a child that raises the level of anticipation for this specific day each year.

Leaders need to cast a vision of the future that draws the same eagerness and anticipation for what is to come for those who follow.

God provided Israel with a vision of a land flowing with milk and honey. The anticipation of Israel looking forward to the moment they entered this promised land can only be imagined.

He has provided us with a vision of something far greater. As we envision the moment we cross the threshold into this glorious place, how much anticipation exists?

We need to eagerly look forward to that day. Let the countdown begin!

“Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and focus on what could go right.” Author Unknown

Pessimism or optimism? The choice is one we make every day.

However, there is something beyond the actual making of the choice in this thought, and that is how debilitating fear can be in leadership.

When fear causes us to only see the possibilities of what could go wrong, we miss out on the power of positive thinking.

Fear is real. No matter how we might want to deny or ignore its existence, if left unchecked, fear can stop us in our tracks.

Fear of what could go wrong also causes us to worry and dwell on negativity, both of which bring a great level of unpleasantness and emptiness.

When we focus on what can go right, we lead with a vision of tomorrow that gives others hope, something to believe in for the future.

The result of recognizing future possibilities is connected to opportunities, and when we can see the possibilities, we will always find opportunities that improve our leadership.

Examining time in the wilderness is an interesting study in the Bible. A common thread found among the leaders of God’s people is time spent in the wilderness, physically and emotionally.

Consider the time Joseph spent in Egypt, from slavery to the dungeon, the time did not deter God’s plan to develop a leader who would deliver His people and fulfill a promise made to Abraham.

There is also Moses, who, after fleeing Egypt, spent 40 years in the land of Midian away from all he had known, a preparation that developed him to lead the nation of Israel to the mountain of God, Sinai.

Then, we have Jesus who spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness. The time ended with temptation and the demonstration of resolve to the will of God.

What is it about time spent in the wilderness that helps prepare people to be leaders for God?

This time identifies a need for and dependence upon God.

A walk through the wilderness is neither desired or pleasant. However, the time provides opportunities for growth and prepares us for leading God’s people.

Less than two weeks separates us from the beginning of a new year. Regardless of the impending holiday, nearing the end of one year and the beginning of another raises several questions.

Did we accomplish the goals established last year while we were looking at the beginning of 2013?

If we knew that 2014 would be the last year of our lives, what changes would we make to insure our goals were completed more timely?

Would our goals be considered important or urgent?

If we have been procrastinating the need to set goals, we have no time to waste.

If we are waiting to decide what is most important or urgent, we have no time to waste.

With so much to do: people to lead to Christ, Christians to strengthen in faithfulness and personal growth, time is of the essence. No commodity is more valuable than our time.

Let us use the time God has given us wisely and never be known for wasting it.

Wisdom is defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment. From a practical point of view, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.

Biblically, one of the most notable illustrations of leadership wisdom is found in the Old Testament in King Solomon. The request of Solomon was an understanding heart to rule God’s people, and the result ushered in a king unlike any before or after him in Israel’s history. This does not mean that Solomon was without faults, but God did grant his request.

The challenge for leaders today is seeking the right source of wisdom. Scripture is clear and the application is significant.

Leaders who seek wisdom should ask God for it. He is willing to give to those who ask in faith. The context is wisdom to deal with trials.

The qualities of God’s wisdom must be known and practiced: pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Wisdom can be learned by experience and from others. Using both allows leaders to base their leadership on the guidance given and provided by God.

These three components symbolize three necessities in leadership.

Head: The head involves knowledge, wisdom and understanding. The idea is that leadership provides information that allows followers to gain the knowledge needed to develop wisdom based on understanding.

Heart: The heart involves an emotional connection. While there is a need to inform followers to gain knowledge and wisdom, when the information relates to the emotional side, the conviction runs deeper and lasts longer.

Hand: The hand relates to action. Once there is an informed, emotional connection, the natural response is activity. Action is more effective when the motivation is built upon the head and heart.

Information alone can lead to confusion. Emotion alone can lack conviction. Action alone can limit inspiration.

Leaders who are able to connect all three components can change the world. Share the information and its context. Show respect and trust, then strategically use the abilities that are developed.

Leaders not only need to connect the head, heart and hand, but also lead with all three. The combination of the leading and engaging the head, heart and hand is powerful.

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” Nelson Mandela

By now, everyone is aware of the passing of Nelson Mandela. The incredible nature of his leadership will be written about for decades to come.

In reading through some of his quotes about life and leadership, the above statement piqued my interest.

There are many challenges to remaining positive and optimistic in a world filled with the kind of hatred that fosters negativity and pessimism. Mandela knew this hatred well.

Leaders must keep moving forward, pointed toward the sun, never losing faith in humanity. Dark moments will come, but biblical leaders understand that hope in Christ endures despair.

As leaders in God’s kingdom, we must not give up. The victory has been won through the resurrection. This victory must keep us focused.

One of the characteristics of biblical leaders is learning to think about the right things.

Two major portals are the gateway to our minds: eyes and ears. While all the senses play a part, these two are primary. Sadly, we often fail to recognize the influence of what we see and hear on our thinking.

The type of language in movies or television shows, pornographic nature of advertisements or programs, jokes, and the locations we visit are only four ways we are influenced through the eyes and ears.

Paul was specific about the areas described in Philippians 4:8. The key is understanding the imperative need for our minds to dwell on these things.

Doing so requires work. We must be proactive in the way we approach the influences on our mind: entertainment, friends and activities.

Is our leadership influence worth having our minds filled with negativity, filth, and horror for a little entertainment?

We are in the world, but not of the world. We are to influence the world for Christ, the Light of the world, not to be influenced by the world.

The journey through life is filled with choices. Literally, we make hundreds of choices every day. Most choices are inconsequential in nature: what clothes to wear, hygiene preparation, what to read or television program to watch.

However, there are choices that are consequential: career, marriage, children, disciplines or where to live.

As amazing as it sounds, there is one choice – a step in the right direction – that determines all other choices, both consequential and inconsequential: the choice of Christianity.

When we make the choice of Christianity, it informs every decision from that point. The type of job chosen will be different for a Christian. The choice of a spouse will be determined by the choice of Christianity. The way children are raised and where we live are both influenced by Christianity.

When leaders provide an example by their choice spiritually, as demonstrated in their physical choices, they are taking a step in the right direction of leadership as God intends.

Now is the best time to start making the kind of choices that will change the direction of our lives and the influence we have with others.

Creative is a word that involves the imagination or original ideas. Think about the creative nature of God in the beginning as He creatively designed the universe and all it contains.

Consider the incredible creativity of the Creator in designing the human body. Before long, we all understand why the Psalmist says, “For I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Creativity surrounds us everywhere we go. The ability of the human mind to use the imagination to draw, paint, build, sculpt and do a million other things demonstrates the creative nature of those who are made in the image of God.

Walt Disney is credited with saying, “If you can think it, you can do it.” Pretty profound from someone who built an empire from an animated cartoon mouse.

When it comes down to leadership, a little creative genius goes a long way in helping others reach their potential.

The same is true when sharing vision for the future of a developing organization. Leaders need the ability to go there in their mind first before helping others see the direction.

Creative leadership might make a good title for a book. Hmmm…