“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.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Nelson Mandela

Mr. Mandela’s thought is challenging to the way we live our lives and the purpose for which they are lived.

There is not doubt Mandela was speaking about physical freedom from oppression and poverty. However, there is also a great spiritual application.

Our freedom from the consequences of sin is not simply about casting off our own chains. We need to live in a way that will demonstrate respect for others and assist them to enjoy the same level of freedom.

Here is where our leadership will be determined.

If our motivation is based on a selfish desire to only satisfy our own spiritual needs, then we have become near sighted and forgotten the true power of the gospel.

The death of Jesus is a foundation for our life, but as well the life of all who will come to Him. Let us lead others to the true freedom from the bondage and oppression of sin.

Few ideas are more significant than the need for survival. For some, the need to find a meal for the day is a matter of survival. For some, getting through the day with their life is a matter of survival.

Leadership survival is an area of great need within the church of the twenty-first century.

Leaders struggle to survive the challenges to their leadership in matters of faith and practice.

Leaders will need to survive the false accusations to their character by dissenters.

Leaders must develop survival skills against the forces of division among change agents.

Survival is a priority when it comes to leadership.

Sadly, the survival of leadership sometimes involves “being shot at from both sides.” Satan is crafty at using those within and without to attack leadership.

How many times have we heard the idea “it’s lonely at the top.” While spiritual leadership is not about being “at the top,” there are a number of areas that qualify for the loneliness involved as a leader in the Lord’s church.

Perhaps this is why so few are willing to accept this needed role.

For several weeks we have been talking about the task of leading the most unlikely. We know who it is and we know the biblical teaching that supports the need.

However, the reality of taking action is difficult.

We will become vulnerable emotionally, mentally, and physically.

We will expose ourselves for who we really are at the core of our being.

We must develop a compassion for the most unlikely of the world and a greater desire to get involved to help.

We would also be well served to understand that those who need to change the most are the most likely to change. Yet, when we see them as the most unlikely to change we will not consider leading them to Christ.

The difficulty of these matters is learning to be genuine in our care for leading the unlikely. We must learn how to love unconditionally.

Loving unconditionally means that no matter what you have done, what you believe, or how you treat me, I am going to love you.

Unconditional love is what leads others to the Savior! When we demonstrate it, we will lead the most unlikely.

Only one of its kind, special, unlike anything else, and unusual, are terms to describe the idea of being unique.

The idea of being unique can apply to something or someone.

The more unique, the more desirable, the more valuable, and the more popular.

Leadership has a unique opportunity to change the physical, spiritual and eternal lives of others.

What is it about our leadership that is unique?

Perhaps our style of leadership is unique, but in what ways can it be one of a kind?

Possibly it is the principle of our leadership that is unique, but principles are universal.

Potentially, our purpose is what makes leadership unique; in reality it is the only part of leadership that is unique.

Spiritual leadership has only one purpose, unlike anything else, special and unusual. This purpose was born out of the unconditional love of the Creator for His creation; a purpose designed to be demonstrated one to another.

This purpose is what keeps us focused and leads to the only hope for all of humanity. Helping others find this hope is a unique leadership.

As I sit in the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston I see people everywhere. Who are they? Where do they live? Where are they going? Are they married? Do they have children…grandchildren? Do they believe in God?

The list of questions is endless. The number of people who live and travel around the world is incredible, really more mind boggling.

The only way to know anything about them is to get involved in their lives. The challenge is taking that step. How can we lead them to the Savior without this connection?

More than likely, we will have to overcome some of our inhibition to take this step.

We will need to overcome fear!

What are we afraid of the most? Rejection? Failure? Saying something wrong?

The application of this thought is true whether talking to a stranger at an airport or a neighbor across the street.

Leading anyone to Christ involves the first step of moving past our fear and connecting to their lives. As challenging as the step may seem, the emotional connection of genuine love will make the difference.