Life can change in heartbeat. Recently, I learned how quickly our lives can be filled with uncertainties, as we were awaiting the arrival of our seventh grandchild. This little guy was anxious to enter the world, but when fluid was swallowed into his lungs it created uncertainty.

What would happen? When could he be held? Why did this happen?

There are questions that arise when we face moments of uncertainty. However, in those moments when our faith was challenged, we found the blossoming leadership of a godly father and mother.

We often speak of leadership in the realm of someone within an organization, primarily the church.

The reality is that leadership begins in the home. The foundation of a mother and father who are dedicated to make sure their children are loved and raised to trust, honor and obey a heavenly Father who loves them.

I have prayed for Benjamin from the moment I learned of his conception. Prayers have been answered as he continues to heal, and I know God will work through his life to lead others to know the Father and Leader of all.

“Great leaders know that success is a process not a destination.” Jon Gordon

Mr. Gordon is a well known author who has a list of 10 Thoughts About Leadership. This quote is number ten on the list. While all the thoughts are well stated, this one has special interest.

Success is generally defined by the individual. The definition is going to be influenced by a variety of factors depending on the material or spiritual interests of the individual.

Coupled with the way success might be defined is the idea of success being achieved when the goal is accomplished or the destination is reached. This is where Mr. Gordon’s thought struck a cord.

When leaders understand what the true destination is, then success will be understood in the process of reaching the goal or destination.

Within the process we see character defined, relationship development, redefining purpose through trials, and ultimate victory.

Through it all the success is wrapped up in this journey and the destination is the sweet reward at the end.

This is the last week of the quarter for the students at the Bear Valley Bible Institute. They will take final exams and prepare for the campaign week ahead.

Freshman are reaching a wonderful milestone as they complete the first leg of this two year journey. Seniors are one quarter away from the end of this journey.

All the students, whether beginning or nearing the end, at some point think about what they will leave behind when they finish their studies.

Leaders from all walks of life, especially with a spiritual focus, will eventually face the last mile of their walk on earth. When this time comes, what is left behind is the true measure of our leadership.

We should never wait until we reach the end to determine what we want to leave behind. Instead, we need to be thinking about the end from the beginning. Once we know what we want to leave behind, we need to be working to make sure the last mile of the way is one we are prepared to walk, knowing the future is secured with what we leave behind.

The thought behind the title of this post runs deeper than usual and, as a result, may carry over a week or two. Think about the various ways we use the word if.

If we could only win a game.

If I had a dime for every time I heard someone say…

If you do that one more time I am going to… (some form of discipline)

If I have to get up and come over there…

If I have to listen to anymore of this I will go crazy.

If archaeologists would find…I would believe.

I am sure you get the idea of what I am talking about with this thought.

How true it is we often speak with the conditional use of the word if.

As we will see next week, when we speak with this terminology on a regular basis, it has a profound affect on our leadership.

Yet, there is also great significance to the use of this word. What would you or I do if we knew we could not fail?

Think about it and we will look at more next week.

Several thoughts come to mind when thinking about this word. On special occasions a present is often given or exchanged to express love and thankfulness. We call it a gift.

Concerning leadership, there is another thought we should consider. The idea is one of being present “in the moment.” It is challenging to provide good, spiritual leadership if we are not there when needed.

However, if we stop and think for a moment, there is something deeper we need to see from this idea of being present.

The idea under discussion is more than being physically present. The thought is one of being engaged intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Leaders must be present, focused on the person or situation. To be physically present, but unengaged leaves the impression we do not care, we are distracted, and/or our priorities are not in the best interest of those we lead.

The next time we speak with others, do not look at someone else walking by or think about appointments and activities. Be present, in that moment and give undivided attention to the other person. Think Souls.

Jesus often spoke in parables related to sowing seed. One such parable that provides lessons for our leadership is the Parable of the Tares. Four lessons stand out.

The enemy is working against successful leadership. The evil one is sowing seeds of lawlessness among God’s people. Leadership must recognize and distinguish good from evil, learning the best way to lead through the growth process.

Patience is needed, even when evil grows in the midst of good. Far too often the world will be seen in the midst of the church. Patience is needed to identify and address it at the appropriate time.

Time will reveal the intentions of the heart. Leaders understand there are periods where good and evil may have a similar appearance, but fruit provides evidence of the true intent of the heart.

Light always triumphs over darkness. God will always win in the end. The light of truth, the faithfulness of His children, and the coming of Christ will eliminate the work of Satan.

Leaders must learn to approach and deal with these areas with great faithfulness to God.

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” David Brinkley

Leadership is rewarding, but it can be difficult. We have to be careful not to spend our time focusing on the negative and challenging areas of leadership.

The trick is learning how to turn the negative into a positive; to take the challenging and turn it into success.

Brinkley’s thought is a wonderful piece of advice. The ability to take what comes at us as leaders and using it to lay a foundation for the future is one of the keys to success.

It may not be the easiest approach, but then again, success rarely comes easy.

It may not be the most pleasurable approach, but the outcome is worth the time in the wilderness.

If we can keep our eyes on the end result, then perhaps when the bricks are thrown, the foundation will be strong and stable enough to build the kind of success that will withstand the storms of time.

The challenge of leading in rough waters obviously deals with an uncomfortable factor. No one likes leading during these times. No one seeks out rough waters to practice their leadership. Amazingly, for some leaders, these 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 has changed 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 the counsel of the wise.

Be slow, diligent and deliberate with all decisions. The quickest way to be defeated 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 approach them with steadfast spirit.

Each e-mail I send has a signature. The signature provides my contact information, along with a link to the Leadership Fund blog site. However, thinking about the signature reminds me of a far greater purpose behind the signature of our leadership.

By definition, we can learn that a signature is a “distinctive pattern, product or characteristic by which someone or something can be identified.”

The thought of this definition is rich in connection to our leadership and there are several words deserving attention.

Identified: how and by what are we identified when it comes to our leadership? The way our leadership is identified becomes a key part of our signature.

Pattern, produce, characteristic: these three terms all play a role in the way our leadership is identified. It goes without saying, but godliness must be connected to all three.

Distinctive: perhaps the most significant word in our definition is distinctive. Something must stand out and set us apart when identifying our leadership.

The signature of spiritual leadership sets us apart from the world and for use by God to His glory. Now that is a signature worth developing.

If there was one word to characterize life and leadership it would be challenges. A number of definitions are given for this word, but the one I like is “a task or situation to test someone’s abilities.”

What will test our abilities? We do not have the space to exhaust the possibilities.

However, there are a couple of truths to remember about challenges to our leadership.

We are going to face challenges. The intensity and the length of the challenge are unpredictable.

Challenges that test our abilities will be unique. No two individuals are alike, nor any two challenges.

Remember challenges are temporary. I love the saying; “this too shall pass.” Regardless of the intensity and length, eventually the test will end.

Overcoming challenges begins and ends at the throne of God. No one provides help like our Lord.

Challenges always serve a greater purpose. If we understand the power and will of God, we know He is working to an end that is best for us.

I do not know of anyone who enjoys challenges, but I do know the result can be beneficial to our leadership.