I am constantly amazed where I learn or pick up on phrases with such powerful meaning in leadership.

Last week I received an e-mail from a very good friend with the tag “let my words testify…let my actions magnify…let my heart glorify the Lord.”

As the words played over and over in my mind I could not stop thinking about spiritual leadership.

The words we speak, the actions we demonstrate, and the attitudes we portray become building blocks for our leadership.

A similar thought is expressed by the Psalmist in answering the question “O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?” The answer follows; “he who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

The church, the world, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and our family are all watching us. They measure our character by the words and actions displaying our attitude.

Spiritual leaders must constantly and diligently guard every aspect of life.

Let our words testify…Let our actions magnify…Let our hearts glorify the Lord.

Several have been credited with saying, “the urgent is seldom important and the important is seldom urgent.”

The thought raises questions as to what really is important and how urgent it becomes.

Spiritual leadership should always be concerned with developing proper priorities. It is not uncommon to reach the end of the day and wonder where the time went. We face the challenge of not accomplishing what we want or intended. Developing the right priorities involves understanding several areas.

Remember activity is not equivalent to achievement. We have all been busy and  yet, accomplish nothing.

A daily self-examination is vital to recognizing priorities and it is Biblical.

Write out a “to-do” list.

We know we should make to-do lists, but we often fail to follow through. However, our priorities take on a new look when we write out what to do.

They must be about “next actions.”

Prepare the night before.

Review first thing in the morning.

Stay focused during the day.

Add items as they occur or as needed.

A few simple steps and we will find ourselves accomplishing more each day and the priorities of life will find  their proper place.

Does leadership determine the culture, or does culture determine leadership? The answer is controversial.

I have examined the characteristics of culture from each decade over the last 90 years. I have also looked at the president who served longest during each decade. I compiled information about events and achievements to the present.

It seems there are times when culture determined leadership, as one might find in our present leadership. However, it would appear at times, leadership determined culture, as when Harry Truman led during World War II.

I find it interesting to see how the definition of leadership has changed from one decade to the next depending on the culture and leadership.

Consider the Biblically similarities. When men like Joshua led Israel, his influence led God’s people to remain loyal and faithful. However, we find the culture of Israel, at a divisive point in their history, selecting Jeroboam to be king, leading to idolatry.

While we may never reach a definitive answer, one thought is clear. God intends spiritual leadership to influence culture. I pray we arise to and accept the challenge with courage and boldness.

All homes need a tool kit. There will be trim to be nailed down, appliances to replace, electrical outlets or fixtures to install, etc.

I have learned the value of having a tool kit. However, it is not having a tool kit, but having the right tools in it.

Flat headed screws are hard to install with a Philips head screwdriver. It is impossible to tighten a 16 mm nut with a 32 mm socket, even if the tool is the most expensive and reliable. I believe you get the point.

Leadership is the same. Often a leader has a sincere heart, a desire to lead, and is skilled in several areas. However, if the leader is trying to plug in where he is unsuited, it will not work. Both the leader and followers quickly become frustrated.

One of two possibilities exist; either the leader must acquire the right tools/skills for the job; or two, the leader should pursue the area most suited to them.

When our goal is to achieve what is best for the group, the decision is clear. The general rule is 80/20, i.e. 80% of our time focused on strengths and 20% on weaknesses. Spiritual leaders need to develop their most suited areas and pursue them with a passion to serve God in the greatest way.

The pursuit of excellence should be in the forefront of every leader’s mind. If leaders do not excel, it is difficult for followers.

Biblically, we find the idea used frequently. The apostle Paul commended the church at Thessalonica and then urged them to “excel still more.”

Perhaps the most significant use of excellence is found in the writings of Peter. Christians are instructed to keep their behavior excellent among the Gentiles. The idea involves the quality of a Christian’s character in the world.

By definition, Peter writes about conduct contributing to the salvation of others.

The thought is powerful in light of the excellence leaders must demonstrate. We must look at the conduct of our life and ask, “is my example contributing to the salvation of others?” If the answer is no, then we have a responsibility to change. Spiritual leaders have been entrusted with the souls of others. We must pursue a standard of excellence in order to lead the lost to Christ and aid Christians in reaching a dedicated level of faithfulness.

Remember the words of Aristotle, “we are what we repeatedly do – excellence is not an act, it is a habit.”

I have a book on my desk titled “Checklist for Life for Teachers.” The book is designed to provide devotional thoughts to strengthen the character needed in teachers.

The idea moved me to think about a similar concept for leaders. Leaders strive to instruct, offering knowledge, wisdom, experience, and guidance to mold the lives of others. However, the role of leadership extends beyond these areas. The life of a spiritual leader is a role model, a godly example of how to live.

Followers are watching. They look to leaders for a better understanding of how to live in this world. They want to know how to overcome the daily challenges of life. Regardless of whether we want the responsibility or not, the truth remains. Our example makes a difference.

Since this is true, spiritual leaders need a checklist for their character. A leadership examination should be a daily discipline to ensure our life measures up to our leadership.

Lead with integrity.

Teach with passion.

Motivate with love.

Above all else, trust completely.

Perhaps you have seen the commercial. Life throws you a problem, a challenge too great to handle. No problem, just push the “easy” button.

While an easy button might help in the purchase of office supplies, life and leadership do not work this way.

It is interesting how the challenges in life and leadership tend to occur when the path is operating the smoothest.

Perhaps we were just beginning to see the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel.”

Maybe success was in reach after months or years of intensive planning and work.

Believe it or not, there are times when one challenge begins and another sits down next to it, possibly three or four all at once.

We are all aware of needing an easy button. We want a chance at a fresh start.

The challenge before leaders is recognizing when difficulties arise and knowing how to lead.

No one is exempt. Spiritual leaders face the task of helping those who face these struggles, face them with confidence and assurance. We need hope. Christ is the only possibility. He did not promise an easy button in life, but an opportunity of  a fresh start. Let us lead others to Him.

Jesus asked this question on more than one occasion. Generally, His question was directed toward the apostles. Did they struggle with doubt in who they were or who Jesus was? Was Jesus asking the question to challenge their fears?

No one is exempt. All of us, at one point or another, will encounter situations creating fear and/or doubt. In those moments we should ask, where is our faith?

The need for faith will arise in the moment of trial.

The strength of our faith is tested in times of controversy and challenge.

The devotion of our faith will be determined by our endurance.

To lead spiritually requires a strong faith. Our faith cannot be in ourselves. We cannot rely solely upon our own strength and abilities. We need faith in our God. We need faith in others.

Regardless of the circumstance, the outcome will be decided by our faith.

Where is our faith?

Tradition is a word and a concept that stirs a variety of thoughts. Tradition can either be good or bad, right or wrong.

Families develop traditions around special occasions.

Education programs use traditions to establish a sense of order and direction for planning.

Religious ceremonies often become traditionalized for the sake of time or practice, or just out of habit.

Traditions should not be discarded simply because of a desire to be different, or to change.

At the same time, traditions should never become the standard because “that’s the way we have always done it,” or “we’ve done it that way for years.”

Spiritual leaders should exercise caution in determining their leadership. Traditional leadership based on the word of God will always be right and true. Traditional leaders will face challenges in holding up the Biblical pattern in times when the winds of change are blowing.

Decisions will be difficult unless a Biblical foundation is established.

Providing direction when it is foggy, at best, will require diligence.

Be prayerful, stand firm in faith, exercise wisdom, and always remember God’s will to work through you.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? We have heard the fairy tale and perhaps joked of the absurdity of a mirror responding to our requests.

However, have we looked in the mirror lately? The idea of looking into a mirror is a Biblical concept.

Mirrors reflect the image standing before it. The concept can be literal or symbolic, physical or spiritual. James writes about the need to look into the mirror of God’s word and see if His word is reflected in our lives.

Sadly, mirrors have often become a tool of vanity.

Mirrors have also provided a benefit to those who have taken advantage of their purpose.

Spiritual leaders need to desperately look into the mirror of their leadership. The image reflected helps determine the core of our existence and what we desire to accomplish.

Look intently. Examine beyond the surface. Make the changes needed. Lead with purpose based upon our true reflection.