I remember hearing someone say, “if it was easy, everyone would do it.” Regardless of the specific application, the thought addresses a powerful truth about leadership.

When we consider the challenges incurred in leadership, we know it is not easy. Anytime people are involved, there will be opinions, objectives, and opportunities.

Opinions vary from one person to the next and everybody has one. Leaders face the task of harnessing these various opinions and channeling them in the same direction to achieve the goal.

Objectives also introduce numerous challenges. Not everyone shares the same objective. Additionally, the influences connected to a person’s educational, social, familial, and political contexts play a huge factor in their personal objectives.

Opportunities abound when leading people who possess various opinions and objectives. It is not always easy to see, however. Leaders must recognize the opportunity to learn from the opinions and objectives of others and direct the energies behind them into an effort that brings unity to the whole.

No, it is not an easy task, but then again, if it was everyone would do it. For those who do, the longterm rewards are eternal.

How much money is regularly spent on a chance to win millions of dollars.

Regardless of the odds, most people believe they have a shot to win. For those who do win, the responsibility that accompanies these winnings is overwhelming.

Turn the page and consider the odds of hearing the Gospel. What are the odds, out of all the people on earth who have never even heard the name of Jesus, you and I were fortunate enough to hear it?

Why were we blessed to hear the Gospel when so many in the world hear an altered version if they hear it at all?

Maybe this is the first time we have considered these questions, but we need to recognize the responsibility that comes with this opportunity.

Should we keep it to ourselves? Can we really go through each day without considering the numbers of those who walk through life unaware of what awaits in eternity?

As Christians, we are blessed among all people. This blessing is meant to be shared, leading others to a hope of something beyond what even winning millions of dollars offers.

In the harshness of our twenty-first century world, the power behind a word spoken in kindness represents the nature of leadership greatness that God desires.

The value of speaking with kindness benefits every level of a leaders influence. When a word is spoken with kindness, notice what occurs.

The desire to provide benefit to another person becomes a priority.

The value or worth of the individual is raised to a higher level of importance.

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

The goal of unity among brethren is exemplified through our efforts to serve one another.

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

The outreach to a world of nonChristians builds on a foundation of love that reflects the nature of God.

More could be said about the power of such words spoken. Kindness requires us to get our personal agendas, preconceived ideas, desires, and motivations out of the way so we can display our Christian light and glorify God.

Most of us are familiar with this phrase. To strike while the iron is hot is to 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 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.

The same is true spiritually, however, we have 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!

Eliminating the word “can’t” from our vocabulary is vital to the development of strong leadership. We have all heard, “It can’t be done.”

Bo Bennett said, “Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done.”

The limitations built around the word “can’t” paralyze the growth and development of God’s people: individually and collectively.

How many avoid the opportunity to teach a class, preach a sermon, lead a prayer, take a mission trip, help someone in need, or improve their education by using the word…“can’t.”

Instead of shackling ourselves with these limitations, consider the difference made by realizing what can be done. With God, all things are possible.

The way we see our families, the church, the world, and even ourselves takes on a new perspective when we realize we can do it.

We must not approach our development as Moses, “Who am I that I should go and deliver this people?”

Instead, we need more with the Isaiah syndrome, “Here am I, send me.”

Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

We are presented with numerous choices connected to the events in life. We know people––we may be one––who become bitter at the difficulties that challenge and may cause them to abandon their faith.

We also know people who face giants when it comes to the trials of life and they choose to remain strong in and dedicated to their faith.

The difference is a choice. Wayne Dyer says, ”With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”

We have the gift of choice. We can choose to feel sorry for ourselves or look at the circumstances as an opportunity to grow into the person God desires of us.

James points out that these trials are instrumental in making us complete, so that we lack nothing (Jas. 1:2-4).

Consider the example of Job, a godly man who did not sin, nor did he blame God. Let us lead with such focus.

A precedent occurs when a previous event or action becomes an example that is used to justify similar circumstances in the future.

Often times, these examples not only justify similar circumstances they also become embedded in traditional practices that eventually become law.

Biblically, we find these practices with the religious leaders. The scribes and Pharisees were notorious for binding various practices. In and of themselves they were not wrong to follow, but they were not God’s law.

Think about washing our hands before eating. It is a good practice. There is nothing wrong or sinful about washing our hands. However, when others are condemned because they do not follow such practices, then the precedent is incorrectly bound (see Matthew 15).

We need to be careful as leaders today that we do not take a precedent of the past, use it to justify current practices, and then bind it as law on the church.

It may be a good practice, but there may also be nothing wrong with not practicing it. The difficulty arises when it is bound on others incorrectly.

At times, I hear or read something that seems providential in its timing, because I needed it at that moment. Such is the case with a statement by Timber Hawkeye: ”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 is a beautiful analogy of what is needed in leadership. Successful leadership does not consist of leading people all 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 advance quickly, while others learn at a slower pace. An effort to rush or force them into places or positions when 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 for leaders.

When demonstrated by leaders, patience encourages followers to develop in ways that reach their greatest potential.

We’ve all heard “actions speak louder than words,” or “a picture paints a thousands words.” Then, there is the old classic, “I’d rather see a sermon as hear one any day.”

The ideas presented in these thoughts emphasis the need for consistency in life’s daily activities. Our family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers all watch everything we do and listen to everything we say, and they seek to find inconsistencies in our character.

However, how do we go about examining ourselves to determine who we are and how we represent ourselves to those around us? Thomas Jefferson is credited with saying, “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

At times, it’s hard to remember that neither our intentions or words determine who we are, but our actions. People judge our actions!

When we examine our leadership, how others see us act defines and delineates who we are as leaders.

Perhaps this is why Jesus said, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day, but today seemed more appropriate, especially since I will not post tomorrow. Perhaps it seemed trickier to do the post in advance.

The majority who read this post remember growing up playing those little pranks on friends, family, or teachers and followed up by saying, “April Fool’s.” Will that be you or me this year?

Generally, these pranks were harmless attempts to get people to look at or believe something that did not exist.

As we get older, these childish games fade and April 1st is just another day. So, what is the point?

When we examine the nature of our leadership, is it more like an April Fool’s prank? Do we pretend to be something we are not? Do we really understand the seriousness of our influence and its affect on others? An honest evaluation helps us determine who is fooling who.

We can fool some of the people some of the time. We might fool most of the people most of the time. We may even fool ourselves, but we cannot fool God. Lead with God in view.