Few characteristics in life are more important than faith. The example of Abraham, the “Father of Faith,” stands as a testimony to the influence of faith within the family (Gen. 15, 18, 22).

Abraham’s faith is exemplified in the book of Hebrews (He. 11:8-10, 17-19), and Paul uses Abraham’s faith as an example for our own faith (Ro. 4).

The key to Abraham’s faith is the fact that “…with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith…being fully assured that what God has promised, He was able also to perform” (Ro. 4:20-21).

The idea expresses an example that must be demonstrated in the home. The example of an unwavering faith points to the confidence of a father and his relationship with God, a faith that trusts without reservation. Doubt is eliminated and certainty in God’s promise is promoted.

A depth of trust is born out of faith that believes God is able to perform what He promises.

When leadership in the home is characterized by faith, we find a beautiful example that does not waver in unbelief.

“As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration. Other people and other people’s ideas are often better than your own. Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.” Amy Poehler

Few suggestions are more exciting than the opportunity to sit around a table with others and collaborate ideas. Discussing and planning every area of life, personally and professionally, serves to improve our leadership.

The beauty of collaborating with others is the inspiration of gleaning from the wisdom and experience of those closest to our lives. Here we find guidance from others who care most for us. Their desire is to see us succeed in life.

Spiritually, few opportunities are more important than times of collaboration where we examine ways to strengthen the church and lead others to a greater hope.

The change in life that makes the greatest difference in who we are and what we do is born from the benefits of what is learned in community.

The challenge of leading in rough waters obviously deals with an uncomfortable area. No one likes leading during these times. No one seeks out rough waters to practice their leadership. Amazingly, for some leaders rough waters always seem to find them.

There appears to be no rhyme or reason to this challenge, but the true test of our leadership will occur in these moments because they define who we are as a leader and the credibility of decisions we make for the future.

What will help us navigate through these waters and find smooth sailing on the other side?

Remember who we are at the core. Nothing should change our core values. Hold on to the basis of why we lead.

Trust in wise counsel. We are not navigating alone. Others have sailed rough waters before us. Seek counsel from the wise.

Be slow, diligent, and deliberate with all decisions. The quickest way to experience defeat is to act before good thought and slow execution is implemented.

Rough waters will come, but we can sail through them if we do not panic and possess a steadfast spirit.

Is it a 5 Hour Energy shot? Coffee? Exercise?

What is it that gets us up and going in the mornings? Regardless of the artificial nature of our pick-me-up, we all have times we badly need a little help.

The challenge is learning what provides a kick to the attitude. Consider these suggestions.

Start the day with the Lord in prayer. Nothing helps the spirit more than pouring our hearts out to the heavenly Father. Speak from the heart and know He is listening. If there is a need to confess sin, then do so and let God remove the burden.

Follow up with reading the Word. Amazingly, we are not the only ones who need a pick-me-up. David found himself in need of God. He expresses throughout the Psalms the value of God’s word, the meditation of his heart. The same works for us.

Provide a hand up to someone else. There are few activities that lift the spirit more than helping someone else. If we open our eyes and look, opportunities abound. As we lift up others, our own spirit is lifted up.

Development involves a number of significant applications. One preference involves a specified state of growth or advancement.

The indication is connected to measurement. With development we have a means by which we measure or determine the specified growth or advancement.

The challenge is learning how to measure our leadership. How can leadership be accurately assessed for growth and advancement?

It would be difficult to determine a more challenging question to answer, but here are a few possible suggestions.

First, and foremost, consider the activity of those who are following. If there is no activity, then our leadership is probably not growing. Growth can quickly be measured by application.

Second, examine carefully responses given in feedback. Positive and negative feedback have a powerful place in the growth and development being assessed.

Third, find a mentor. The value of having someone examine the growth and advancement of leadership is immeasurable. A good mentor can make the difference.

While there are many other suggestions, development of leadership is critical to the advancement and growth of any work.

Learning occurs in several arenas. We learn from the mistakes of others as well as the successes. We learn by observation, teaching, personal study, and experience. We learn from teachers with academic credentials and others who simply have experience.

Learning is not the issue. We learn something everyday. We cannot help it and we cannot resist it. Everything we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, smell with our nose, and feel with our hands creates a learning situation. The empirical connection to our learning demonstrates the value of today’s post.

However, the importance of what we learn really makes the difference.

Just from a spiritual perspective, we learn information that promotes a greater knowledge of God’s word, a closer relationship with the Savior, and a walk in step with the Spirit.

Our fellowship with brothers and sisters must be characterized by love, patience, and an understanding that promotes family.

Learning matters that are spiritual in nature provides a foundation for lasting leadership. When considering the importance of learning, remember it is what we learn that carries the greatest importance.

“To create more positive results in your life, replace ‘if only’ with ‘next time’.” Author Unknown

Consider the occasion we heard or said ourselves, “if only.” We often fill in the blank that follows by saying something related to health, money, work, school, etc.

Too often we tend to live life with a mentality of thinking “if only” our circumstances were better, life would be better.

Imagine the difference if our approach was more “next time.” We might see a positive change if the approach involves a consideration of what we will do the next time an opportunity presents itself.

The difference is a mindset. If we are waiting for something to accidentally fall from the sky and our world to suddenly become positive and successful, we might be waiting until eternity.

On the other hand, however, when we possess the mentality of seeking opportunities to help others, then our entire worldview changes. The focus turns from an inward “all about me” way of thinking, to a “what I can do to benefit others” perspective.

There is a difference and the choice is ours.

We live in a society that thrives on mimicking others. Phrases like, “I wanna be like Mike,” and “Who wouldn’t wanna be me” indicate the point.

Retail companies spend billions, if not trillions, of dollars in marketing campaigns that use entertainment, sports, and political figures for the purpose of selling their products. The idea is that if we purchase their products we will be like these iconic figures.

Often, the way we dress, where we live, the car we drive, the way we walk, and the way we talk are designed to imitate someone else.

Leaders are not followed because they are “like” someone else, but because they know how to find their own voice. They are unique, a pioneer in their own rights.

Is this what we seek from our leadership? From a biblical perspective, we are to imitate our Lord and Savior. His leadership style set a precedent that revolutionized His era and continues to the present day.

We know this style is not popular in the world, but when leaders practice this servant style of leadership, a revolution will also occur today.

A leader must be a student. Obviously, there are many areas to study. From the perspective of spiritual leadership, we must be aware of our life in two worlds.

We must know the world we live in physically. The role of spiritual leadership involves leading others to Christ and to heaven. We need to know the challenges people face living in this world. We need to know the struggles and trials encountered. We need to know about national and international events.

We must also know the world we are living for spiritually. Because we have never been there, being a student in this realm is difficult. We must rely on the information God has provided for us in His word. Therefore, we must be a student of His word.

When we study the physical and spiritual realm, we begin to see why scripture emphasizes the need for us to prepare ourselves now for then.

All we say and do now is building a foundation for a world to come. As spiritual leaders, our task involves helping others reach the same destination. Think Souls!

This week’s word carries several implications that impact the nature of our leadership, both from a noun and verb application.

As a noun, the idea behind flourish is defined as an instance of suddenly performing or developing in an impressively successful way.

As a verb, to flourish is to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.

Leaders must provide the kind of favorable environment that allows others to grow in a healthy and vigorous way, to flourish. Accomplishing this task follows the path of two key ideas:

1) Encourage creativity. Enforcing a mould of one size fits all or the cookie-cutter approach to development stifles the minds of those who have much to offer if allowed.

2) Allow others to spread their wings and try. Mistakes may be made and there will be accountability, but we might be surprised at what flourishes when an opportunity is given.

More could be said, but we get the idea. Leaders need to flourish and promote the same in others.