“Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I really need it.”  Swedish Proverb

Jesus referenced the fruitless product of loving those who love us. We are doing nothing more than those who were considered to be the worst of sinners.

The challenge has always been the application of loving those who do not deserve it. When we continually give and receive nothing in return, we feel helpless and want to leave or give up.

In those moments we need to remember how our God feels when He continues to give and receives nothing in return. Worse yet, is how He must feel when we blatantly reject His love pursuing our own selfish desires.

Leadership should remember this Swedish Proverb. When we show unconditional love, especially to those who deserve it the least, two possibilities exist: 1) We are demonstrating a God-like spirit, and 2) We are helping those who really need it understand the nature of God’s love as it is seen through us.

The effort is worth the time when we consider the outcome. Lead in love!

I am an average golfer, but I do enjoy the sport when I have opportunity to play…about once a year. Perhaps this is why I am just an average golfer.

Regardless, it seems to only take hitting the sweet spot one time when connecting with the golf ball to make a good day.

The sweet spot is that place on the face of the golf club that, when contacting with the golf ball, produces the sweetest sound, smoothest feel, and furthest distance.

Our leadership is based on a similar principle. Challenges and problems can often take the wind out of our leadership sails. During these times we begin thinking we should just give up, find another job, or take up underwater basket weaving.

However, in those times when the contact is right, it produces the sweetest moment and encourages us to keep on going.

We need to remember our leadership is making a difference. No one ever promised this path would be easy or comfortable. However, we are promised it will be worth. This is why we strive to lead others to Christ. Think Souls!

There are several locations around the country where signs indicate that when traveling this may be the last chance to get fuel, food, or rest. As the country has developed these signs are found less frequently. However, the message does have a significant meaning.

We have no way of determining exactly how long we have before desperation creates a situation of panic and despair.

A number of warning signs also indicate we may be facing the last chance for something significant when considering our leadership.

This may be the last chance to help someone reach their potential in fulfilling personal dreams and goals.

This may be the last chance to prepare those closest to us with a legacy that will help them carry on without us.

This may be the last chance to build a relationship that improves our ability to lead others to greater success.

No one knows when we will have our last chance, but if we treat every opportunity as the last chance, then what we accomplish will make a lasting difference.

How much do we depend on what we can accomplish tomorrow? If you are like me, you have probably heard someone say, “There are no guarantees tomorrow will come.”

While I understand the truth of this thought, I also know that what we do in preparation today will make a difference if tomorrow’s sun does rise.

So, what are we doing to make preparation today? Here are a couple of thoughts to help.

1) Seek God’s guidance in planning with the right priorities.

2) Pursue what is important, not always what is urgent.

3) Live in such a way that if tomorrow does not come, we accomplished what matters most.

4) Never miss an opportunity to tell someone we love them.

5) Do something nice for someone who will never find out.

6) Be the most positive and enthusiastic person we know.

7) Close the day with prayer and give thanks for the good and the bad.

These are just a few ideas, but if we would follow them each day, regardless of what may or may not come tomorrow, we will have a full life.

The general thought behind the use of this phrase is the future of leadership. While this is an area that certainly needs consideration, it is not the aim of this post.

The purpose is to consider the answer to one question that is interrelated to several thoughts.

How will we lead when we consider the future of…

Our children? The choices they make, places they frequent, friends they associate with, and work ethic they develop depends on our leadership.

Our church? The confidence of the church, their hope for a better tomorrow, and their assurance of an eternal destiny is based on our leadership.

Our neighbors? Who they seek during trials, where they turn with spiritual questions, and how they see Jesus is determined by our leadership.

Our friends? The development of their spiritual focus, thoughts on relationships, and how to deal with giving into temptation is patterned after our leadership.

Our co-workers? Their knowledge of biblical principles, their understanding of character, and approach to life is shaped by our leadership.

When we consider their future, it is worth giving thought to how we will lead.

“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” John Lubbock

While this appears to be a simple thought, there is great depth to the application. Jesus reminds us of the value found in the priority of seeking the kingdom of God, and when we seek we will find.

Again, it depends on what we are seeking.

Are we seeking to find the best in others…or the worst?

Do we seek the truth…or are we satisfied with hearsay?

Are we content with seeking to get by…or do we seek ways to excel?

Do our passions seek to be authoritative….or do we trust in good intentions?

Will we seek to provide compassionate and understanding leadership…or will we seek our own way?

The list goes on, but I believe you get the point.

Remember, the attitude and character demonstrated by others is a reflection of our leadership. Be cautious, because others will also find what they are looking for in us as leaders.

Their attitude truly reflects leadership. What we look for in others is exactly what they will look for in us. Are we leading with this in mind?

Do you ever feel like you need to have the last word? Most relationships involve someone who feels the need to have the last word. What does this really mean? Does it provide any real benefit to the relationship?

The jury may be out for a while on answering those questions. However, when spiritual leadership is at stake, there is a need to understand who, or perhaps what, should have the last word.

Of course I am talking about THE last word, the word of God.

Many disregard it, neglect it, avoid it, abuse it, change it, and try to rewrite it, but God’s word remains the source to help us lead others.

His word provides everything for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).

His word remains the light to direct our steps through life (Ps. 119:105).

His word instills hope even when life is filled with challenges (Ro. 5:1-5).

His word never changes!

If we always use THE last word in our leadership, we will always change the lives of those who follow. I pray God will give us the courage and strength to lead this way.

I am not trying to drag this thought out to the point it loses the significance needed for leaders to make a change. More importantly, I am trying to raise an awareness needed within leadership to address an area where much good can be done.

Success in leading the most unlikely begins with identifying who the most unlikely are we are trying to lead.

Identifying the unlikely can be very subjective to each individual. However we identify the unlikely, the need is evident when it comes to our leadership.

Where should we start?

They live everywhere, but often have nowhere to live.

They have nothing to give, yet often give all they have to help someone else.

They scrape by with little hope, yet hope is often all they have to scrape by.

Leading the unlikely will involve an effort to provide a combination of all three ideas. We must look for ways to give hope of a life that is better now and in the future. We must provide genuine friendship without ulterior motives, where we develop an intimacy that goes beyond the surface.

“There are no guarantees.” I have heard this most of my life. Yet, a guarantee simply involves a promise or assurance that certain conditions will be fulfilled. The idea provides a foundation of certainty regarding the outcome.

The problem we often face with a guarantee is the fact we want to use and abuse what we have with the guarantee the product will still look and function like new. If this is our thinking, then there are no guarantees.

Sadly, we do the same concerning leadership. We use and abuse leaders expecting them to lead with the same enthusiasm and passion as they began.

Perhaps the problem is not in the leader, but in the follower. Instead of using and abusing leadership, if we provide support and encouragement, then we just might find that our leaders are able to fulfill the specific conditions necessary to assure followers of the outcome.

Concerning leadership, as I have also heard most of my life, never make a promise we cannot keep. As leaders we must be a people of our word. Now that is a guarantee worth following.

I am often amused at the way children, at a very early age, learn how to manipulate (for a lack of better words) situations within their family.

I do not mean manipulate in a derogatory sense, but rather knowing how to get what they want or need.

The question I am left with, regarding parents and their children is: who is really leading who?

We would all agree that parents are responsible for leading their children, but often times children are the ones who lead their parents.

While we know this is not the design God intended for the family, we often see the same develop within the church.

Leadership has often allowed followers to do the leading. Why? Is it because leaders are afraid someone will be offended? Is it because leaders lack the knowledge to address the situation appropriately? Is it because leaders do not understand their true biblical role?

We could speculate all day, but in the end leaders must approach this God given task with the earnest desire to lead, and lead as God has directed.