“One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.” Lewis Carroll

Interesting how the thought today follows on the post earlier this week about cultivating love in our life and leadership.

What we do for others is where leadership develops and shines. The approach to life in determining what is in the best interest of someone else must drive our leadership.

Mr. Carroll summarizes this idea as one of the secrets of life, implying that success in life is the natural result for those who practice it.

Biblically, this idea is a common thread throughout many of the individual books written to God’s people.

Reading the book of Philippians quickly reveals the need to have the same mind in us that was in Christ. This mind, or attitude, involves a humble spirit that seeks to do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but to regard others as more important than self.

This is the heart of leadership and the future of the church in this world.

Psalm 38 is an interesting expression of David. He is aware of who he is, what he has done, and the affect on his relationship with God.

He readily acknowledges his failings and the resulting division with friends, family and enemies.

What is astonishing is how David, in the midst of his penitent suffering, describes the nature of his enemies; “They oppose me, because I follow what is good.”

We could spend time examining several areas in this Psalm, but David’s leadership exemplifies a man of God who had a strong self awareness and knew his dependence upon God.

We find a leader who knew how to follow; a needed trait. Even knowing that what he followed created a separation between him and others, he still followed because it was good.

Many challenges face godly leaders, one of which is the lure to follow worldly practices to increase numbers within the church.

Leaders fear people leaving, speaking against them, and creating opposition. Remember to follow what is good, even when facing the most difficult of challenges.

As David concludes, God will not be far away. He is salvation and deliverance.

Cultivating love in an unbelievable environment of marketing is one of the great challenges to the Christian’s life and leadership.

Considering the loose way love is used is borderline blasphemous. Kenneson makes a pointed remark; “…some may justifiably doubt whether a word that can be applied with ease to both God and pizza can illuminate the character of the Christian life” (37). This statement challenges our thinking.

The character of love, as defined by God, is a love that is unmerited, steadfast, suffering, and knows no bounds. It should move us to consider there is nothing we can do to make God love us more, and nothing we can do to make Him love us less. His essence is love.

We cannot examine the love of God without recognizing the “other-directedness” nature. Love is always divinely defined by what is done for others, in this case, you and me.

In a marketing environment that is based on self-interest and one that puts a price on everything (and everyone), cultivating love will require a devotion of our time in building good relationships.

This builds leadership.

A specified state of growth or advancement, a new and refined idea, an event constituting a new stage in a changing situation, are three ways the word develop and/or development are defined.

All three ideas express thoughts directly related to leadership.

Leaders should focus on growth and advancement. They are looking to grow personally and help advance the cause for which they lead. At the same time, they are striving to help others reach their greatest potential.

Leaders look for new and refined ideas that promote opportunity, innovation, and creativity. The abilities that exist among followers is amazing, and leaders need to seek ways to involve everyone in using their gifts for the greater good of God’s kingdom.

Leaders also recognize the world around them and the changes ever present. The development of God’s kingdom is not about changing the message, but the methods need to allow for ideas that reach out to an ever changing world.

God made it possible for all three areas to exist within the church. The question we need to ask is: how is our leadership developing?

Everything that is learned about leadership simply indicates the more there is to learn. It is amazing to consider the amount of information readily accessible.

There is no end to the books, articles, blog posts (sorry), and classes available on the subject of leadership.

We have also frequently discussed the need for leaders to be incessant learners, but in the abyss of information about leadership, where should leaders turn?

Obviously, followers must be able to turn to leaders, but where will leaders find help to grow in their leadership.

First, turn to God. The best leadership book available is the Bible. The examples and instruction provide great learning for the student of leadership.

Second, turn to godly leaders. Most people know someone who has been a godly influence in their life. Seek their help and learn at their feet.

Third, turn inward for reflection. Many answers can be found by reflecting on how God has been working throughout the journey to bring us where we are as leaders.

These do not exhaust the possibilities, but they do provide a few steps in benefiting from each learning moment.

“Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.” Christian Larsen

This quote is full of ideas that emphasize multiple areas in leadership. We cannot address each one. However, there is one thought that threads the entire quote; being strong enough to be the best we can in leading others with a positive focus toward the future.

Leadership will always have its challenges and negative influences. When leaders follow the ideas presented by Larsen; the life, focus, and influence on others is powerful.

The nature of this Psalm is one that addresses the salvation / deliverance of God. While David expresses his desire for God to humiliate, turn back, and dishonor his enemies, he also expresses how God should be magnified by those who seek and love Him.

Spiritual leaders today must be those who magnify God on the same basis.

Seeking God involves the following thoughts: 1) establishing the right priorities,  2) seeking what God desires for all the world (social justice, salvation, faithfulness and righteousness), and it also carries the idea of avoiding areas that hinder our ability to stand in His presence.

Loving God is always connected in one way or another to obedience. God’s law, His discipline, is given to us because of His love for us. Our obedience is the demonstration of our love for Him. Loving God is also an expression of our gratitude.

Understanding the realm of these two ideas helps leaders in developing the spiritual character that is built upon seeking and loving God in the ways that magnify Him above all else on earth.

For the next several weeks we want to consider ideas presented by Philip Kenneson in his book, Life on the Vine, Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian Community.

One of the key ideas expressed in this book involves learning to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:19-21.

This demonstration of the fruit of the Spirit falls in line with his thesis which involves focusing on others, an “others-directed,” rather than “self-directed,” approach to living the Christian life.

In the opening chapter Kenneson discusses the idea of “Dying on the Vine.” This chapter is a strong examination of where we are spiritually.

Leaders can try to ignore, deny, or neglect the reality of the present situation, or take steps to form a different direction, one that is directed toward others to help them walk more closely with the Savior.

These steps are what we will examine in the weeks ahead by discussing the fruit of the Spirit and how we can, by our walk, avoid the fleshly desires that distract us from walking after the Spirit.

Staying involves remaining in the same place, a specified state or position.

One of the most important lessons when someone is lost, is to stop walking around trying to find a way out and stay in a visible place until someone finds them.

Continuing to walk around in a lost state brings confusion and frustration. The more someone walks around the greater the tendency to walk in circles, or drift further away from where there is help.

There are numerous spiritual applications that can be drawn from the reality of the physical nature of being lost.

People are wandering around in a lost condition and, sadly, they continue walking in circles because they do not have someone to show them the way out.

The challenge for leadership is finding those who are lost and lead them where God desires.

The need for leaders is to understand that to lead others out, they cannot conform to the world to lure others through some form of worldly method, but to remain secure in the truth of God’s Word. Here is the only position that will help bring salvation.

Communication is critical to the success of building relationships and reaching goals for leaders.

Leaders who communicate well are able to articulate the vision, inspire the actions of others, and strengthen the character of an organization to achieve long lasting results. This is what communication is all about.

However, the foundation for these three areas is built upon knowing the people who are involved in the work, and this requires the ability to actively listen.

Several hindrances occur when trying to listening to others: 1) we are waiting for an opportunity to speak what is on our mind. We are not listening, but formulating our own thoughts, 2) we are distracted with the activities of the environment and cannot, or will not, focus on what is being said, or 3) we really do not care about the other person.

Other possibilities exist, but if leaders will take a moment to be silent, remove distractions, focus on the person speaking, and truly listen, amazing results occur.

Leaders will build stronger relationships, encourage followers, and take steps to achieve the goals to build the overall organization.