When my children were younger I tried to impress upon them the need to choose a job they love. Life is too short to work at a career you do not love. In addition, when you love what you do, it never feels like work.

Yes, there will be problems or challenges, even when we love our work. However, when we love our job, the difference is noticeable.

In my younger years, I was employed in a variety of areas, from carrying canoes, stuffing newspapers, loading ice cream trucks, to radio broadcasting.

I have volunteered in a number of areas from painting to loading furniture. As a friend once said, ‘I have learned a lot of things I do not want to do for a living.’

Nothing compares to leading others to Christ. There is no greater opportunity or privilege than sharing a message of hope with others, changing the course of this life and their eternal destination.

When we see our relationship with God as an opportunity to make a difference for others, then we are beginning to know the love of the job.

One thought is clear from Genesis to Revelation, ‘we can’t make it on our own.’

Since first hearing this statement I have learned how true and relevant it is to my own life. We need one another.

I remember one Sunday sitting behind the pulpit singing a song before my lesson. As I looked over the number of people who came to worship I noticed how few were smiling. Knowing the events in most of their lives I realized they were hurting. They came to worship God, but they were struggling with the pain of life.

At that moment I began to realize the vital nature of my message. These Christians, my spiritual family, came because they needed and wanted help. They were looking for a message to help them deal with their pain.

Spiritual leadership must always remember the necessity of helping others. It may be a friend, or a family member. When they come seeking help, let us lead them to the only one who can help ease their pain, Jesus. Think Souls!

Never give up. Do not quit. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Does this sound familiar? Whether it is school, work, exercise, family, friendship, or a relationship with God, the bottom-line is the same… be persistent.

Jesus talked about the need for persistence. We must never lose heart in our relationship with God.

Leadership must be built on the foundational stone of persistence.

Will there be times when we are discouraged?
Will followers see the negative and complain about the positive?
Will we have days when we feel it would be better to move on?
Will we want to quit?

The answer is yes to all of these questions and more. However, we must strive for persistence. Like a child who knows persistence will eventually be rewarded with a response, we also must recognize the need to be persistent in leading others to heaven.

This is not an easy path we have chosen, but it will be worth it.

There are times when the path of least resistance is tempting. Remember, this path makes rivers and men crooked.

Lead with persistence, even when it is difficult.

An interesting account of four leprous men is found in the Old Testament. It so happens these four men find themselves in a desperate situation. Going into the city was certain death because the famine was so severe. Going out to the enemy could also bring death. However, at least the enemy had food and maybe they would be merciful.

When these men arrived at the camp of the enemy the camp was empty. As they were enjoying the spoils left behind, they realized their actions were wrong. It was a day of good news and they were keeping silent. Their own people were dying from hunger, and they were eating a buffet. To remain silent would surely bring punishment.

From a spiritual perspective we are indulging on a spiritual feast. The world around us is dying for lack of knowledge. Can we remain silent?

If we remain silent, should we not be punished?

We are leaders. We must lead others to Christ and allow them the opportunity to eat from the tree of life and drink from the river of life. Think Souls!

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” — Samuel Johnson

I find this quote to be very thought provoking. We tend to show partiality in our world to those we believe will benefit us most.

We develop relationships because we think there is a payoff down the road.

James addresses how Christians should not place their faith in Christ with an attitude or approach to personal favoritism. We must not show preferential treatment to the rich over the poor, simply because we think there is something in it for us.

Jesus never demonstrated character of this nature, nor should we.

Our leadership will gain momentum if we learn to avoid favoritism, develop consistency, fairness, and the highest level of integrity.

Why is this so important? Because there is no partiality with God. He does not look at the color of our skin, nationality in our passport, birthday, gender, house we live in, car we drive, or the amount of money in our bank account. He simply examines the heart of each person and knows. Do we?

A young girl, the daughter of a friend, was looking through one of her books when she was asked, ‘what are you doing?’ Her reply was simply; ‘I’m looking for Jesus, daddy.’

Throughout the New Testament we find occasions where people were looking for Jesus, but for totally different reasons.

Herod was looking for Jesus as an infant to put Him to death. The magi were looking for Him because they knew Him to be the King of Israel.

Throughout His ministry the Pharisees and Sadducees were looking for Jesus to trap Him, ultimately to put Him to death.

Multitudes looked to be fed and healed.

Before His trial and crucifixion, an angry mob. accompanied by soldiers being led by Judas, came looking for Jesus. The question Jesus asked; ‘whom do you seek?’

As leaders we need to consider who and what we are looking for. Even more so, we need to realize as leaders, others should be able to find what they are looking for through us. If they are looking for Jesus, will they find Him? This is what spiritual leadership is all about.

Moses is the only person who was said to have a relationship with God that was ‘face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.’

The phrase ‘face to face’ indicates a unique intimacy shared between the closest of friends.

It may never be said that God speaks to us face of face. However, it does not mean it is impossible for us to develop an intimate relationship with God as the closest of friends.

We should be reminded that Moses was far from perfect, but we can learn from his example in developing this type of relationship?

He desired to know God more than anything else.
He sought the favor of God through obedience.
He communicated with God daily.
He loved God’s people with an incredible intercessory love.
He led with a passion to fulfill God’s will.

It seems to me our own relationship with God should follow in similar footsteps. The New Testament teaches us to walk with our God based on parallel examples.

Spiritual leaders should not only desire this intimate relationship, but strive to achieve it.

Perhaps it is a simple question, but it is necessary in leadership; what is our purpose? Our influence on others may be good or bad, but we cannot effectively lead without purpose.

There must be a reason for our actions. We must have a sense of resolve and determination. We need purpose.

God had a purpose in sending Jesus.
Jesus had a purpose in laying His life.
The apostles had a purpose in their preaching.
The church has a purpose today.

What is our purpose, yours and mine, in our day to day existence?

Are we studying just to earn a grade? Are we working just to receive a check? Are we existing just to eat, sleep and watch a little television? What is our purpose?

Spiritual leadership has but one purpose. Our purpose is to lead others to heaven. The reason we strive to live a godly example is to fulfill our purpose. The reason we establish godly priorities is to fulfill our purpose.

It is the reason for our relationships with others. Nothing is more important. Nothing is more rewarding. Fulfilling our purpose makes the difference.

I remember feeling misunderstood as a teenager. No one, especially my parents, seemed to understand me or how I felt.

Having raised three children who now have children of their own, I am sure they felt the same. Being misunderstood seems quite common, but for more than teenagers.

Employees are misunderstood by their employers.

Students are misunderstood by the school’s administration.

Citizens are misunderstood by governing authorities.

The list goes on, but I think you “understand” what I am saying.

Developing the ability to communicate where others understand is the necessity of leadership. Jesus asked on several occasions; “do you understand?”

However, being understood is based on the ability to understand others. How can we lead others to Christ if we do not understand their relationship to Him?

How can we assist the fallen back into fellowship if we do not understand where they need to be encouraged?

How is it possible to sharpen the focus of the faithful if we do not understand what they can or cannot see?

Instead of wondering why we are misunderstood, we must work harder at understanding others while leading them to heaven. Think Souls!

“You manage things; you lead people.” Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper

I love this! How often do we find ourselves managing people?

Managing people does not require much in the way of feelings, concerns, desires, dreams, plans, or anything else. All we have to do is just shift people from one side to the other to accomplish the work at hand. Nothing is more important than getting the job done.

It does not require much effort to simply manage “things.”

However, leading involves much more. Leadership takes on the feelings, concerns, desires, dreams and plans of others. Leadership is helping others realize all of this and more through their role in accomplishing the ultimate goal.

This kind of leadership requires much more from us. It is not an easy task, but a rewarding one. It will not happen quickly, but when it does the world can be changed.

Manage the things you have, but lead people. Lead them away from the strife and consequences of sin. Lead them to a better life now and in the one to come.