“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Rumi

Read this quote several times and think about the implications of what is said. Most of the people associated with spiritual leadership desire to change the world. An unending list of questions would need to be answered to even consider the task.

We know the gospel is the power of God to save those who believe. The idea of changing the world, or in this context changing others, cannot be achieved by compulsion or coercion. If change is achieved by such means the results will not last.

Because this is true, the wisdom of today’s thought introduces us to significant ramifications. When we focus on changing ourselves we provide a living testimony for the world as to the benefits that come from implementing change.

The time involved to develop wisdom of this nature varies, but the value of realizing this thought cannot be overstated or underestimated.

Leading a worldwide effort of change begins simply with changing ourselves. The rest seems to take care of itself.

Chances are if you are reading this post, you have a computer or electronic device. If so, there is familiarity with the idea of downloading.

Downloading is a common occurrence with files, programs, or general information from Internet sources.

Think about the concept. Literally, the idea is about transferring information from one source to another in an understandable format. The purpose is to give the receiver beneficial information.

There is also the experienced challenges of downloading a virus. A virus can hinder, shut down, and/or destroy the working function of the computer or device.

Computers commonly download updates for programs we use frequently. These updates are beneficial to the overall performance of our computer or device.

Consider our spiritual leadership.

People who listen and follow are constantly downloading information from us. Is the information hindering, shutting down, or destroying the working function of their service? Are we providing information in an understandable, beneficial format? Does the information received improve the overall performance of the individual or group?

Our leadership can make a difference. Make sure those who follow download the right material.

The Bible is filled with 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 that we look to in leadership. Why Noah? He never led a large group of people, just 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 approximately 120 years during the building of the ark. While he never converted anyone, 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 Bible leader.

When something is essential it is absolutely necessary. The importance factor of what is essential moves leadership to a new level.

However, the challenge is determining what is essential and what is not. Spiritually speaking, there are a number of components that play a key role in the area of essentiality.

1) Character: The late General Schwarzkoph said, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.” Character is essential to successful leadership.

2) Passion: Although we often think of passion as enthusiasm or excitement, the origination of the word involves suffering and sacrifice. Passion (willingness to sacrifice) is essential when considering leadership.

3) Vision: Vision is not about what is seen, but seeing what is unseen, about insight. Faith is the necessary factor for the development of leadership vision and vision is essential to spiritual leadership.

4) Goals: David Swartz said, “Goals are as essential to success as air is to life.” Without goals we have no way of knowing where we are going.

These are only four areas that are essential to our leadership.

One of the greatest challenges facing all Christians, especially leadership, involves measuring spiritual growth. As we mentioned in previous lessons, one potential way is by the activities of life.

Consider developing an application to the instruction presented by Paul in Colossians 3, “Set your mind on things above, not on the things that are on earth.” What does this look like in the context of our homes or on the job?

The letter to the Colossians reveals a number of areas that contrast the things above and the things on earth. Think about, however, a simple thought on how to continually keep our minds set on things above.

The major step in achieving this task is to minimize as much as possible the way we focus on the things of this earth. We could start by spending fifteen minutes each day with the cell phone off, computer closed, television off, along with all other electronic devices. Practice spending these few moments in silence and allow thoughts of God to fill our minds.

Once we are comfortable with fifteen minutes, add five more.

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours — it is an amazing journey — and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” Bob Moawad

Today’s thought addresses one of the problems experienced in our current society. Far too many today take credit for the good in their lives and quickly find ways to blame someone else for the bad.

We also find the challenges of a culture that believes happiness is wrapped up in the external circumstances and the environment in which we were born. The result drives a mindset that “if only” the circumstances or environment were different, happiness could be found.

Recognizing that the quality of life is based on our choice raises the level by which we view life and the approach we take to it.

If we want to begin the life God desires for us, then let us live each day as the divinely given gift it was intended to be.

A mission refers to the objective or purpose to be achieved. Understanding this definition should cause us to ask, “What is our mission?

What is our objective or purpose? What are we really trying to achieve? Do we have a mission?

Sadly, as spiritual leaders, our mission often gets skewed because the mission becomes more about us than God.

It often becomes more about what we want to achieve, rather than what God wants us to achieve.

As mentioned before, there is a growing trend of extremism. The problem of extremism occurs when dealing with “party” issues, “petty” ideas, or “personal” opinions become the focus in our life. Far too often, we gradually lose sight of God’s mission.

This is why leadership must remain balanced.

Leadership must know and believe in the priority of God’s mission.

As leaders we must be honest enough to examine ourselves more closely and ask hard questions about whose mission we are fulfilling.

Let us arise and lead God’s people in unity, and let us work together to fulfill God’s mission.

To lead yourself use your head. To lead others use your heart.

There are two parts to consider in this powerful principle of leadership. The first involves an inward focus and the second an outward. Sadly, we far too often see leaders using the opposite approach.

To use our head in leading ourselves means we:

…think before we speak or act.

…consider the short and long term consequences of our words and actions.

…weigh the evidence and ask evaluating questions before making decisions.

To use our heart in leading others means we:

…devote ourselves to learning and serving the needs of others.

…prioritize our time toward maturity in relationship development.

…risk the temporary satisfaction for the eternal gain.

This principle of leadership is not always easy to put in place. There are going to be challenges internally and externally. However, if leaders worked to develop and practice a focus on the interest of others, we could change the future.

Leadership is worth the time we take to ensure others are prepared to stand before God.

Souls are precious. Let us always be mindful to lead others with our hearts. Think Souls!

Also known as a champion, upholder, backer, supporter, everyone needs an advocate. From a Biblical perspective, Jesus is our Advocate. The idea behind the Biblical definition involves someone to come alongside and stand in the place of someone else.

The intent is not to make this post solely about Jesus and His role as our Advocate. The intent of this post is to consider our position as leaders.

When people are struggling with their faith, do they know they have an advocate?

When we see people dealing with the challenges of daily life, are we there as an advocate?

When others are stepping out to accept responsibility, will we be an advocate for them?

Everyone needs to know someone will be there by their side to be a champion for them. Whether it is during a time of temptation, personal trial, or spiritual growth, leaders must be an advocate for those who follow.

The necessity of such is vital to the development of the Lord’s church. Christians need to know the Advocate we have in Jesus and they need to know the advocate they have in leadership.

When Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, he instructed Christians to “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification…” (Ep. 4:29).

The challenge of any generation is living in a culture that gives little thought to the impact of words. The old acronym GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) identifies far more about the heart than we might want to acknowledge.

For developing a strong spiritual health, how can we fulfill this passage? Numerous answers could be suggested, but consider one simple approach: One particular family set up a coin jar where each time they yelled, it cost money. Imagine the impact if inappropriate language, words spoken in anger/frustration, or spoken in haste took money out of our wallet that we could not get back. Maybe we would learn to “think before we speak.”

This is the true root of the problem. We too often allow our mouth to run ahead of our brain, when simply taking a moment to think first, could resolve a lot of issues that hinder us from following Paul’s instruction.