We often sing a song by this same title, but do we understand the depth of what this means for Christianity and our leadership?

Scripture speaks of the need to be an imitator of Christ. Peter clearly identifies that Jesus left an example that we should walk in His steps.

What exactly does this mean? What is the context for Peter’s statement to Christians? How can we make the proper application when we demonstrate conviction by singing, Oh To Be Like Thee?

Over the next few weeks we will examine several areas from the life of Jesus connected to the thoughts behind this statement. The areas under consideration will make us uncomfortable. Hopefully, they will drive us to a deeper conviction of how we apply the principles of walking in His steps.

By exposing these areas each week, our prayer is that we draw closer to our God, understand more fully the example left for us to follow, and then live our life as a reflection of His example.

Where will it take us? We will dig in next week.

“If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives.” Lemony Snicket

We recently focused on the idea of procrastination and how destructive this quality is in the life of leaders. The thought today expresses an interesting concept.

Too often we convince ourselves that we are not quite ready, and so we wait, and wait.

If we decide to wait until we are ready, we must consider what exactly will get us ready? More money? More education? Greater opportunity? Time?

How will we know if we are ready? Are we waiting on a feeling? Are we waiting on someone to tell us we are ready?

There are always more questions than answers, but at some point we have to consider how we are going to answer these questions.

There are times when patience is truly a virtue, times when waiting another hour, day, or week is beneficial. If we are waiting until we are ready, chances are we may never be ready.

We may also have to consider if we want to be ready. The decision is ours to make. Let’s not wait.

The idea of being genuine, or authentic, is a concept that is highly sought by those who desire to follow. Several hindrances challenge the genuine nature of a leader’s character: self, personal agenda, money, power, position.

These areas do not mean an individual is always disingenuous, however, they do hinder the development of genuine leadership.

Considering a few ideas will increase the growth of genuine leadership character.

1) Think about the influence our words and actions have before we speak or act.

2) Use knowledge, commitment and ability to lay the foundation for decisions and actions.

3) Deliver honest criticism in a spirit of love and concern for the well being of others.

4) Fairness and impartiality are essential when working with people.

5) Always begin and end with something nice and complementary.

6) Address the issues in our personal lives before trying to help others.

7) Ask for assistance and follow the suggestions provided.

The background in these seven ideas is not simply for the purpose of working to develop leadership character, but to demonstrate a genuineness that builds confidence in those we influence every day.

David wrote “this is the day the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it.”

Prayers of gratitude are heard at Bear Valley regarding the life God has given us today. We are thankful for the new day we are blessed to live.

What exactly does a new day provide for our leadership of others? We have an opportunity to:

…reflect on yesterday and decide to make changes for the day ahead.

…focus on the priorities of today realizing this may be the only day we are given.

…prepare ourselves for the day the Lord returns or we are called to Him.

…walk through doors to share the gospel with others who may never have another opportunity.

…share the depth of our love with those we often taken for granted.

The opportunity to live a new day is a gift from God and one we need to recognize and seek ways to fulfill those areas in life we have been putting off.

Today is the day. Do not wait any longer. Be wise with the precious nature of the time God has placed before us.

“Overwhelming surprise or shock” characterizes this week’s word. Interestingly, after Jesus healed the man possessed with a legion of demons, He told him to go to his own people and tell them what great things God had done for him and how God had shown mercy. When the man did so, the text stresses how people were amazed.

This account always leaves a fascinating thought regarding our own influence in the lives of others: when people do a mental comparison of the person we were before with who we are now, are they amazed?

If not, maybe we need to stress more, by our words and actions, the great things God has done for us and how He has shown mercy upon us.

When Christ is involved, there is always something different. Our leadership in the home, community, and in the church is different when He is part of the equation.

We need to reflect for a few moments on exactly what God has done for us and compare who we are now with who we were before.

Let us all amaze others with the difference God has made.

A Google image search for optical illusions displays a number interesting images that at first glance show a certain image, but a closer look reveals something completely different. Minutes turn into hours quickly with the fascination of one picture after another that stretches our imagination.

While the idea behind these images lends to several directions regarding leadership, one primary thought comes to mind: vision.

When we look at the world around us, what do we see?

When we look at our friends, what do we see?

When we look at our families, what do we see?

When we look at the church, what do we see?

When we look at ourselves, what do we see?

Our vision strongly affects the way we see others and ourselves. Depending on the existence of an optical illusion that may or may not be present, our vision is foundational to the understanding of and approach to the urgency placed before us.

At first glance, we may see one thing, but a closer look reveals the image of God uniquely created in each person. Think Souls!

“In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be, by remaining what we are.” Max DePree

The idea of today’s thought is a favorite. Leaders are those who continually work to examine their life and implement changes to improve who and where they are.

Reflecting on the consequences of remaining in our present situation should cause us to be active in overcoming the stagnate condition that ultimately ends in death.

Becoming what we need to be is an indication of three key thoughts.

1) God is the primary mover in shaping and developing our influence as leaders.

2) His word is the tool by which we understand the components involved in the process.

3) Our open and submissive heart benefits us as God fills us and His Word guides us.

Our daily prayer needs to include a request for God to help us have the vision to see what He wants us to be, to make us what we need to be, and to never be content with remaining what we are.

A snapshot of a moment in time displays a visual image of more than we can often express in words. The same is true when we consider the mental picture taken by others when they see our Christianity displayed for the world to see.

A complement to any Christian is found in the reflection of our Savior through every word and deed. The activity of life is not based on fulfilling a set list of rules and regulations, but rather the inward being of character that is expressed in an outward demonstration of activity.

Paul wrote it this way, “Be an imitator of me as I am of Christ” (1 Co. 11:1).

Our leadership should also be a reflection of our Christian character. The more we grow in our imitation of Christ, the greater the reflection in our leadership.

When leaders are focused on demonstrating a Christ-like image the greatness of God’s kingdom is exemplified and the common good of humanity is identified.

A few minutes each day prepares a lasting image that is a picture worth keeping.

Approaching our final post describing biblical precedents draws attention to the precedent of leadership in the life of the apostle Paul.

While several areas represent the qualities of leadership demonstrated by Paul, one specific area is the focus of our post: flexibility (read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Notice the driving force of Paul’s flexibility: “so that I might win…by all means save some.” Nothing took greater precedence in his life than leading others to Christ.

Notice there was no compromise to the truth: “not without the law of God, but under the law of Christ.” The “anything goes” approach was unacceptable. At all times Paul was in submission to Jesus.

Notice the flexibility of personal choice: “I do all things for the sake of the gospel.” Loyalty to Christ was never abandoned, but in matters of personal choice or opinion, he was flexible.

The point of this precedent is to show Paul’s heart to always put others above himself. He desired only to glorify God, honor Jesus, and reach others with the saving message of the gospel. If Christians modeled this biblical precedent today, we could change the world.

Few words are more powerful and significant for leadership character than this one. The depth of an individual’s character is determined by the level of trust.

We often speak of the need to place our trust in God, and there is great biblical support (Pro. 3:5-6).

Considering the reverse idea of trust raises a few interesting questions: Can God trust us? To love His church? To be a good student of His Word? To reach out to nonChristians? To make the right choices?

Will others trust us? To lead with consistency? To demonstrate competence? To be connected?

We could obviously ask more questions, but a healthy consideration of how we would answer these few questions is convicting.

Paul claimed “…it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Co. 4:2).

As stewards of the mysteries revealed in God’s word, are we worthy of God’s trust?

Reading about the people of God outlined in Hebrews 11 provides us a foundation for what trustworthy character looks like.

Let us strive to develop a character that is worthy of trust: God’s and other’s.