Tag: God

Life Worth Living

Although the author is unknown, the following thought is powerful: “No one ever finds life worth living—he has to make it worth living.”

Leadership is about making life worth living for those who follow.

Our task is to make rough paths smooth and the crooked straight. 

We live in a dysfunctional society. Families, schools, business, government, religions, and more, do not function as God originally designed.

Our role is to give hope. We must use opportunities to help others see the “so what?” and the “now what?” in life. The answers are what make life worth living.

Joseph

The leadership of Joseph provides powerful spiritual lessons.

Joseph endured adverse circumstances, rejection, slavery, temptation, false accusations, wrongful imprisonment, and he was forgotten.

However, we learn something powerful about his leadership.

No matter what happens, God is always with us.
God is always working toward a greater purpose.
Faithfulness exalts an individual and a nation.

These lessons apply to leaders today. If we know that God is with us, He works in our lives for a greater purpose, and faithfulness results in exaltation, then our leadership is rooted in the right foundation.

Enoch

Enoch is not a great Biblical leader because of the number of people he led. Truly, no followers are mentioned.

Enoch is a great Biblical leader because he “walked with God.”

Great leaders are characterized by such a walk. Our eulogies should simply read, “(your name) walked with God.”

Enoch’s walk with God was identified by his faithfulness.

Examining the text of Genesis 5 and Hebrews 11, we learn that a walk of faithfulness pleases God. When we trust completely in the promises of God enough to do what He says, even if it means suffering, we walk with Him.

Moses

Moses was a great Biblical leader. He possessed many qualities we see in other leaders.

However, consider these areas.

He started like most of us: He questioned himself and God’s power to use him to lead His people. Not until Moses submitted to God do we find Moses becoming the leader God needed.

He had flaws: Moses needed patience, and he needed to treat God as holy.

The objective is to learn how God can use us with our flaws and imperfections. If we submit to God, He will make us into the spiritual leaders He needs.

Noah

When we look at biblical leaders, several come to mind. What about Noah stands out that classifies him as a leader?

Character: “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God.”

Ability to follow: Genesis emphasizes that Noah did all the Lord commanded. Noah followed God.

Fortitude: Noah was a preacher of righteousness. His tenure was 120 years during the building of the ark. Leaders must stand on what is right, even if they must stand alone.

Perhaps more could be said, but these three areas show Noah to be an example of a great Biblical leader.

Make a Decision

It goes without saying that leaders must make sound and timely decisions. There are two key elements we need to develop with this thought.

The first is the idea of “sound” decisions. From a spiritual leadership perspective, the soundness of one’s decisions is based on a Biblical compass.

The second involves the word “timely.” An impatient, or even impetuous, approach to decision-making can create more difficulty in our leadership. Learning God’s timing helps us greatly.

We build credibility when decisions are made on this basis.

Big Thinking

Leadership must not be about small thinking. Leaders must think big!

William Arthur Ward once said, “Nothing limits achievement like small thinking. Nothing equals possibilities like unleashed thinking.”

Big thinking always sees opportunities.
Big thinking empowers the abilities of others.
Big thinking creates a “possibility” mindset.
Big thinking will not place limitations on God.

If the church is to see the power of God at work through her to accomplish His will, we must start thinking big. God needs leaders who think and plan big, work incessantly, and trust God to empower and deliver.

Transformational Leadership

Styles of leadership are numerous, one of which is transformational leadership. The idea is leadership that transforms the people around them, shaping the direction of the future.

Transformational leadership characterizes leaders who have integrity and exemplify consistency in their example. They encourage, support, and help followers look beyond their own self-interests and focus on the good of the team.

Of all leadership styles, this one connects to the heart of spiritual leadership.

Are we transforming others to live closer to God?

Are we striving to transform the lives of others by the character we demonstrate?

Generosity

The idea of generosity is characterized by this thought: The greatest Giver (God), with the greatest motive (love) gave the greatest gift (His only Son) for the greatest need (our sin).

Leaders should exemplify generosity. The value of generosity is witnessed in the example of God.

Leadership is built on giving.

…our time
…our energy
…our money
…our emotions
…our ability

What best suits your giving? Do you give what is left over, easy and convenient, or is your generosity suited by giving your best?

Succession Planning

Christianity is a learned, taught system. This duplication process is how Christianity grows.

The same is true for leaders, especially spiritual leaders.

John Maxwell calls this the “Law of Reproduction.” He says, “If you want to grow, lead followers. If you want to multiply, lead leaders.”

Are we planning, grooming, and mentoring someone to lead when we are gone?

Too often, we find a lack of qualified men to lead God’s people. Why? There are several reasons, but one falls on the need for leaders to reproduce themselves.

Let us rise up and change the future by preparing others to lead today.