Everyone wants the best. We want the best technology. We want the best car. We want the best clothes and food. We want the best service. We want the best leadership. We want the BEST!

The problem comes in defining “the best.”

The bottom line? The definition is subjective. The best for one person may not be the best for another.

Additionally, what is the basis for the definition? Will the best be defined by work effort? Cost? Achievement? Time spent?

When considering leadership, one might think the pursuit of the best is the right direction. However, it depends on the definition and the foundation of the definition.

Instead, we must pursue excellence. The pursuit of excellence provides a consistency to leadership, especially spiritual leadership.

Pursuing excellence acknowledges the present situation and need.

Pursuing excellence desires to learn and improve.

Pursuing excellence strives to constantly make proper application.

We should give thought to the direction of our leadership. Making a difference in our life and in others is an excellent pursuit.

Each year about this time, we send and receive cards with holiday greetings. A few years ago, I received one quite unexpected.

The card was from a lady who lived in Washington State. I met her almost 20 years ago. Her and her husband lived outside of town in a modest home. I went by to visit each week, as his health was failing.

After his death, Miss Elsie became involved in the church. I continued to visit, and we developed a wonderful friendship.

As her health began to fail, her daughters moved her near them in Washington. At first, she would write occasionally and say hello, send a picture or a poem, inform me of the church family where she attended. However, in time I stopped hearing from her. I was uncertain of her condition or what might have happened.

I then received a lovely card from her with holiday greetings and a reminder of how much she missed our visits.

In leadership, I am reminded of the need to maintain contact with those we share life with through the years.

It can be as simple as a card to remind them how much they impacted our life. I hope we will take time, not just this week, but throughout the year to remind others of their influence in our lives.

Family Feud, a popular game show over the years, hosts the famous line, “Survey Says…”

Contestants work to provide answers to questions that are nearest the most popular answers given by people who were surveyed.

We may never participate in a game show like this, yet we need to constantly survey our lives. As we near the end of 2017, this evaluation is even more critical.

When we consider the nature of our influence within our homes, what would the survey say is the priority of our life?

When we examine our character on the job, what would the survey say about the quality of our work ethic?

When we look at our worldview, what would the survey say about the consistency of what we believe and practice?

When we take into account our outreach to others, what would the survey say about the “type” of people we seek to influence?

The list of questions could go on. We need to understand the value of surveying every area of life and measuring how we live by the example provided in Jesus.

Adhering to that standard supports positive survey results.

One of the strongest and most exciting areas of developing any project is the beginning. The morale and enthusiasm are high as the wheels begin turning.

There is something about the grand opening, the starting gun, the first day, or the kick off that strikes at the heart of people to get them on board.

Because we are often a short-sighted and an immediate-satisfaction oriented people, the long range goals seldom come to fruition.

Weariness, stress, slow movement, and discouragement set in and cause us to forget or lose sight of the excitement the original goals provided to get started.

This is true for individuals and congregations. In leadership circles, the idea of finishing well––or strong––is becoming more prevalent. We need leaders who know how to start and finish well.

Satan does not mind our starting if he knows he can prevent us from finishing. Scripture emphasizes the need for us to endure and be faithful until the end.

Instead of giving way to the pressures of accommodating the latest “whim,” let us stay the course and finish well.

Most of us have heard this phrase at some point in life. We take advantage of an opportunity quickly.

As we have expressed before, an opportunity involves circumstances presenting possibility, either to be gained or lost. We cannot take advantage of opportunities if we are unable to see the possibilities.

Leadership involves the ability to see the possibilities and take advantage of the opportunities the moment they arise.

Few people would turn down the opportunity to double an investment in a short period of time. When the presentation is skillfully done and the stakes are guaranteed we know the advantage of striking while the iron is hot. This may be the only opportunity we are given.

The same is true spiritually. We need to consider two significant questions: 1) Do we really see the possibilities of reaching out to the souls around us? 2) Do we want to take advantage of the opportunities God presents?

Unless we see the possibilities and want to take advantage of the opportunities the urgency of sharing the message of Jesus fades to indifference.

Seek, Ask, and Knock. Think Souls!

All of us, at one point or another, face fear. While we would love to be fearless, to possess an attitude or mindset of having no fear, or the absence of fear, we know the challenge.

We need to consider, however, a possibility as it relates to the direction of leadership.

The idea is to reverse the order. Consider examining the approach of having less fear.

There is an element of doubt when thinking that a leader will have no fear or even eliminate fear. Various events in life and leadership will always create times of fear. During those times we can demonstrate less fear, but what makes it possible to do so? Read Hebrews 11:1 – 12:4.

Enduring life’s challenges is an ability strengthened by victorious faith. Understand that others have also overcome. See the great cloud of witnesses.

Trust that God will keep His promise. He will see us through every trial. Run with endurance the race that is set before us.

No matter how great the obstacle, at its best it is still temporary. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus who for the joy before Him endured the cross and despised the shame.

In the harshness of the twenty-first century world, the power behind a kind word gives the nature of leadership the greatness God desires.

The value of speaking with kindness benefits every level of a leader’s influence. When a word is spoken with kindness several results occur.

The desire to achieve what benefits others is demonstrated as a priority.

The value or worth of the individual is raised to a level of importance for both people involved.

The biblical expression of the fruit of the Spirit testifies to the development of Christlike qualities.

The goal of unity among brethren is exemplified as Christians strive to serve one another.

The example of Christ’s sacrifice is characterized by the sacrificial actions of His disciples.

The outreach to a world of nonChristians is built upon a foundation of love reflecting the nature of God.

More could be said about the power of a kind word. Kindness requires us to get our personal agendas, preconceived ideas, desires, and motivations out of the way so our Christian light can be displayed and God glorified.

A number of beautiful analogies exist that involve helping people reach their potential in leadership. Timber Hawkeye points out, “Flowers only bloom when they are ready. People are the same way. You cannot rush or force them open just because you think it’s time. Be patient.”

This beautiful analogy is needed for leadership. Successful leadership does not consist of leading people all in the same way, because people are not the same.

The principles of leadership never change. People, however, learn and advance differently. There are those who pick up on the process quickly, while others learn at a slower pace. An effort to rush or force them into places or positions when and where they are not ready only creates frustration for everyone involved.

While patience is a virtue that most everyone desires to have “right now,” the ability to demonstrate patience in the development of others is a treasured quality of leaders.

The beauty of patience, when demonstrated by leaders, is seen when followers are encouraged to develop in ways that reach their greatest potential.

A few years ago, I heard a devotional about the positive nature of change. In discussing the lesson afterwards, two reasons were shared why people are apprehensive to change.

1) They feel change will cause them to lose something from the past they want to hold on to. The idea is that if someone changes, the structure, concept, or approach may be lost.

2) The second reason is fear, a fear of the unknown, fear of uncertainty, or a fear of losing control.

However, the nature of change brings several positive qualities.

Questions are generated for gaining a better perspective in prioritizing our purpose in going forward.

Change leads to improvement. Becoming more Christ-like requires us to change.

We rally together in a unified effort to work for a common purpose.

Change creates firsts we have never experienced which bring enjoyment and satisfaction.

Our faith is bolstered as we move into the unknown. We learn to trust God for strength.

Additionally, change brings an air of excitement and enthusiasm.

The lesson concluded with this incredible thought: “Embrace change, for it is the stuff of a brighter tomorrow.”

The road of life has highs and lows. There are times we are on top of the mountain, and there are other times we walk through the valley.

David understood this as he penned the words of the twenty-third Psalm.

What stands out from this Psalm is David’s understanding of what was ahead of him, not behind. He knew that even though he walked through the “valley of the shadow of death,” God was with him and he would dwell with God forever.

As leaders, we are messengers of hope. People can endure just about anything if they know there is something better ahead. They need hope something will be better.

The challenge is learning how to help others see that our hope is not based in a promise of a better physical life, but something beyond this life and beyond compare.

This kind of hope was the driving force of the early church, even in the face of death.

Paul indicated this kind of hope saves us because with it we will endure.

Better days are ahead, maybe not in this life, but God holds eternity.