We live in a world where we generally communicate with the use of words. Interestingly, what we hear and read is often presented with an incredible, spectacular, and unbelievable multiplicity of adjectives.
What adjective would you use to describe your leadership?
Godly! Spiritual! Righteous! Knowledgeable! Patient! Compassionate! Faithful!
Such descriptive terms have a nice ring. Today, let us strive to lead others in a manner that is described biblically.
Why is leadership so scary? Knowing that leaders deal with answering questions pertaining to goals, plans, maintaining morale, personality conflicts, providing resolution, etc., it does not take long to determine why the ground upon which leadership stands can be a scary place.
How do we overcome scared ground for sacred ground? God will help us overcome many challenges. Prayer helps us reach a more sacred footing rather than a scared one. Studying faithful people, such as in Hebrews 11, will also help us as we approach sacred ground.
It may not seem like much, but it is a start and sometimes getting started is half the battle.
Three more qualities stand out as it relates to Paul’s leadership.
Confident: Paul’s confidence was not based on who he was, but Jesus and what Christ had done for Him.
Disciplined: Paul spoke about discipline to ensure the message of the gospel aligned perfectly with the example of his life.
Faithful: Christ considered Paul faithful. Although his past was an example of blasphemy, persecution, and violence toward the church, the Lord saw something greater.
Paul exemplifies many qualities needed for leadership. If we emulate them, God will use us in powerful ways to make a difference.
Leaders are accountable, but what exactly does this word involve for spiritual leadership?
There is the implication of what is required. As spiritual leaders, we are required to be trustworthy, faithful, examples, and people of integrity.
There are certain expectations. People tend to meet whatever is expected of them. When leaders make decisions, there is an expectation they will be held accountable.
There is an understanding of responsibility. There is a level of responsibility connected to the decisions and actions taken by leadership.
Leaders will answer to God for the direction of their leadership of God’s people.
We live in a world too often characterized by indifference and lethargy.
Leaders must find ways to prevent and overcome these characteristics in the church.
What does this really mean? It means we must…
1) Increase the desire of God’s people to be together.
2) Fan the flame of enthusiasm for sharing the gospel.
3) Energize the creativity of brothers and sisters in Christ.
5) Strengthen the hands of God’s faithful.
6) Lift up the hearts that are weak and struggling.
When leaders see the opportunity and do something about it, preparing to make the needed improvements, persevering through the challenges, we overcome indifference and lethargy.
Can we trust someone simply because they say, “Trust me”?
Scripture is clear about the need for us to trust God and He is worthy of our trust.
Consider the opposite: Can God trust us? Do we have and demonstrate the type of character that is worthy of His trust?
Trust means we are faithful to our promise and we guard what has been entrusted to us.
God entrusted us with His word. If we are trustworthy we will be good students of His word and diligent to make application. When this happens, it makes it easier to share it with others.
Leaders experience times when their strength is demonstrated through holding or hanging on. The ability to endure is a biblical characteristic required of God’s faithful. Trails are inevitable, and it is during these times we must persevere.
Interestingly enough, Ann Landers once wrote, “Some people believe that holding on and hanging in there are signs of strength, but there are times in life when it takes much more strength just to let go.”
The strength to let go is sometimes more difficult than the strength required to hold on. The adage, “Let go and let God,” is one we should adopt.
Strength applies to physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual areas of life.
Challenges occur when our strength declines, especially in the spiritual realm.
Perhaps we have seen or experienced personal struggles to remain spiritually strong and faithful.
During these times, Paul encourages Christians to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God” (Ep. 6:10-11).
Each piece of armor reveals a close relationship to God’s word. Our strength comes from what God provides us through His word.
His word helps us find the strength to lead others to our Lord.