Time goes by faster the older I get. I grew up hearing the “older generation” make this statement. It never made sense because time seemed to move so slowly. My birthday never came around quickly enough. Summer vacation would never get here. Turning sixteen and being able to drive, well, that was an eternity away.

I can safely say, as I near my 50th birthday, I am becoming the “older generation.” Wow! I cannot keep up with time. I open my eyes in the morning just in time to go to bed again.

The clock is ticking.

In reality, we all have the same amount time moving at the same speed. We were born into the realm of time and it is ticking.

Spiritual leadership should focus attention on the realm of no time and where the clock is not ticking.

We cannot comprehend with our finite minds the eternal realm. It is impossible! By faith we know it exists and at some point we will be ushered from the temporal to the eternal.

We must be ready and we need to influence others to be ready as well.

Why are laws made to enforce wearing seat belts? Is it possible they are made simply to raise additional funds for the city justifying “click it or ticket”? Unlikely, but it would not be hard to convince some folks.

Regardless of our like or dislike of seat belts and affiliated laws, seat belts were designed to protect drivers and passengers in the event of accidents. Yes, I know of those who would have died had they been wearing a seat belt. I also know of those who would have died without them.

I am not looking to debate the benefit or detriment of wearing seat belts. However, it raises an important thought for leaders.

Spiritual leaders are to provide protection in the event of temptation, trial, struggle, and weakness. Our influence should create confidence in our ability to protect. What does this mean? Think about the similarities with the seat belt.

1) We must be there when the need exists.
2) We must connect with people to be useful.
3) We must protect without being uncomfortable.
4) We must create a signal when someone is unprotected.

This time of year always highlights a very special milestone in the lives of most families. High School Seniors have taken their final exams, written their last papers, and said goodbye to those they have grown close to over the years.

The same event occurred at the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver yesterday. Twelve men and nine women walked to the stage and were honored for their accomplishments of the last two years. I loved the expression on their faces knowing they have taken their final exams, written their last papers, and said goodbye to those they have grown close to over the years. A sigh of relief would be an understatement.

The joy for me is found in knowing Bear Valley graduated a group of spiritual leaders in the Lord’s kingdom. They have been equipped, prepared to fulfill their specific roles and powerfully impact the eternal destiny of people around the world.

My prayer for them is to remain faithful to our God, to continue to be students of His word, and to proclaim His glorious word to the world wherever they go. Lead as God has prepared you.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

Four areas are emphasized in this quote. Dreaming, learning, doing and becoming more are a significant part of our role as leaders.

However, two key words in this quote become foundational to our spiritual leadership.

Actions: Nothing is more important to our leadership than our actions. It cannot be overstated that a leaders’ actions must measure up to what is said and believed.

Inspire: Inspiration is a powerful thought. To inspire is to produce or arouse a thought or feeling. Leaders must inspire, i.e. arouse, confidence in others.

When a leaders actions inspire confidence in others to dream, learn, do and become more, there is power to change the world.

This is the purpose of spiritual leadership. Let us arise to the task.

The “Wheel Of Fortune” is familiar to nearly every household. What is the fascination with solving a puzzle to win money?

Apart from the design and purpose of the show, there is a connection to leadership.

I am not referring to those who host or appear on the show. I am talking about the millions of people who watch night after night trying to figure out each puzzle.

There is a difference in solving puzzles from the recliner and solving them in front of an audience when the pressure is on. Have you ever thought or said “why did they spend money on a vowel when the answer is so obvious?” Or, “why can’t they figure it out?”

The similarities are true with leadership. It is one thing to criticize leadership’s decisions, or for not knowing the right answers. It is another to be in the battle when the pressure is greatest.

No spin of the wheel, roll of the dice, luck of the draw, or anything else makes the task easy. Respect belongs to those willing to take on the task of spiritual leadership.

A recent conversation with a friend turned to a discussion on leaving our mark on the world. The question is what do we want to others to remember about us and our achievements?

In leadership circles the idea is legacy. Legacy is not what someone is leaving to, but what they are leaving behind.

I cannot help but think we should just want to help people get to heaven. Our concern should not be about how people look at us, but how they see Jesus through us. Our concern should not be about what we are able to achieve, but how Christ will use us to His glory. Our concern should not be about being right, but helping other see what is right with God.

When helping people get to heaven becomes the focus of our lives, our whole approach changes.

We think before we speak. How will our words impact the lives of those who hear them?

We consider our actions. Will others see our actions as consistent to our claim as a Christian?

Helping people get to heaven must be the foundation of our spiritual leadership.

Everyone needs to get away once in a while. Southwest Airlines created humor to demonstrate the times people find themselves facing challenges and they want to get away.

There will always be challenging situations when leaders want to get away.

The question we need to consider in leadership is how should these situations be handled?

1) Get a good night’s sleep. Everything looks different with rest.
2) Take a look at the situation from another angle. Solutions are hard to find looking constantly through the same eyes.
3) Seek council with a trusted advisor. There will always be much wisdom in the council of many.
4) Identify all the possible solutions. Knowing all possibilities allows for better decisions.
5) Make a decision and move ahead with implementing it. If it is the wrong decision, then admit the mistake and change the direction.

We could get away. However, it does not generally resolve the situation, but it is an option.

Most situations can be resolved with a little patience and following a few simple steps. Remember others depend on our leadership.

It does not take long for marketing agencies to pick up on the latest and greatest gadget, device, toy, etc. I am constantly amazed at the infomercials for what appears to be the strangest products.

I am amused how the price remains the same, or at least some multiple of it. If not $19.95, then it can be purchased for three easy payments of $19.95.

Yet, there is more. If we buy in the next 15 minutes, they will throw in a second one free. All we have to do is pay the extra shipping and handling. Really?

So, what does this have to do with leadership? Good question.

Spiritual leadership is not about the latest, greatest thing. Leadership is not developed in searching for the latest technique, new idea, or greatest psychological approach. There is no easy, get rich quick scheme, approach to leadership.

God’s word provides an understanding of the field of work, purpose and motivation, the guidelines to follow, and the urgency.

It takes work. Let us all realize the great task before us and lead.

“The real leader has no need to lead – he is content to point the way.” Henry Miller

Often, the idea of leadership carries the idea of fulfilling the task of leading. Please do not misunderstand, there is great responsibility and work that goes into leadership.

Today, however, think about our purpose in leading.

Are we leading to gain an advantage or benefit for ourselves?

Is our leadership filled with the burden of seeing the workload instead of the goal?

When challenges arise, do we learn from them and improve in our leadership, or find ways to excuse the problem and blame someone else?

The real purpose of our leadership is about pointing the way. As spiritual leaders, we must recognize our part in a bigger plan to reach a goal where Jesus awaits.

Pointing others to Him benefits those who follow our leadership. There is no burden to great when pointing others to our Savior, and any challenge we face is a stepping stone in God’s perfecting work in our service.

Real leaders have no need to lead, just keep pointing the way.

…is a common phrase that obviously emphasizes a lack of progress. It is impossible for someone to go two steps forward, then three steps back and move ahead.

For leaders today, the idea of moving forward is vital to the development of the overall program in reaching the goal.

How do we prevent the idea of taking two steps forward and then three steps back?

1) Know with certainty the goal to be accomplished.
2) Understand the present location, available resources, and abilities of everyone involved.
3) Plan periodical times of evaluation.
4) Keep morale at a premium level.
5) Acknowledge every minor, as well as, major accomplishment.

A few steps planned and taken methodically will help keep the overall progress of the group from taking steps in the wrong direction.

There is nothing wrong with taking a step back, but let us make sure we are taking more steps forward than we are backwards.