What will remain in the shadow of our leadership 20, 30, 40, or 50 years from now? Is our legacy as a leader intentional? Will our leadership be a shield to protect and provide for others? What legacy will we leave?
A legacy of money will eventually be spent.
A legacy of possessions will quickly fade.
A legacy of service will soon be forgotten.
A legacy of security will be destroyed.
Only a spiritual legacy influences this present life and the life to come.
Prayer can be an overlooked subject. The application to how we draw closer to God, grow spiritually, or endure trials is often to pray more.
What is prayer? How should we pray? Why do we pray? Does prayer really influence God?
Think about how James teaches the necessity of prayer in leadership.
Three keys to spiritual leadership rise to the top.
1) Elders are identified as righteous men who are to pray.
2) The working prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
3) Turning sinners from their error will save them.
Leading people to salvation must be at the heart of a righteous leaders’ prayer.
Following the crowd, latest fad or trend are familiar ideas.
What is our leadership all about? Do we seek to fit in with what appears to be the latest and greatest?
When we lift up the Light of the world, we should stand out in a world of darkness.
Why is it important when it seems easier to follow the crowd?
Following the majority can have great consequences. Jesus teaches this principle in the Sermon on the Mount.
Our path is a matter of choice. The choices we make influence others. If it helps others get to heaven, then standing out in or from the crowd is worth it.
Spiritual leadership has its challenges. However, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Consider four lessons behind the mountain top leadership experience of Elijah.
1) Elijah was God’s man. As such, he spoke for God.
2) Elijah was unrelenting when it came to making a choice. Neutrality was not an option.
3) Elijah knew his God, which translated into reliance and confidence.
4) Elijah understood the need to eradicate the influence of evil.
These lessons stand as an example of the mountain top leadership needed today as we strive to honor God and change the world with the power of His word.
Consider the power of leadership to alter eternity. The influence of godly leaders makes a difference in the eternal destination of everyone around them.
The driving motivation behind leadership directly relates to the lives changed. When we think about it more closely, the moment someone’s life is changed by our influence, we cannot help but experience change in our own life.
If we truly believe that eternity matters that much, then let us exercise the type of diligence necessary to influence every soul we meet. We might just alter eternity, theirs and ours.
The ability to be self-aware and self-evaluate is easier said than done. The difficulty exists in recognizing the inward truths that often escape reality.
Marianne Williamson said, “Take stock of your thoughts and behavior. Each night ask yourself, when were you negative when you could have been positive? When did you withhold love when you might have given it? When did you play a neurotic game instead of behaving in a powerful way? Use this process to self-correct.”
When we ask the kind of questions that challenge painful answers, we find ways to improve the influence of our leadership and help others follow with confidence.
Time seems to move at incredible speed as we approach the last quarter of the year. As each day flies by, we must continue to evaluate our leadership and our influence on those who follow. Do we know where we are headed? If not, how will we know if or when we get there?
Ken Davis once said, “Aim at nothing and you will hit it every time. Know where you are going and you can take anyone with you.”
Others are following, and when we know the destination, we can point others in the right direction.
Rarely do we examine our time and influence in leadership. When you look back on 2024 consider a few questions.
Were you a good steward of your time in leadership?
Are the lives of others better because of your influence and example?
How many souls did you reach for Christ?
Are you accomplishing your goals for the year?
What changes would you make to improve your leadership?
These are a few of many we should ask as enter the final quarter of the year.
Look back and consider how you will set the stage for next year. Ask a few questions and make the needed adjustments.
Several years ago, I received a card from an elderly lady who lived in Washington State. I met her and her husband more than 25 years ago. I used to visit each week, as her husband’s health was failing.
After his death, we continued to visit and developed a wonderful friendship.
A few years later, her daughters moved her to Washington to be closer. Until her passing, I received several cards with notes, reminders of how much our friendship meant.
In leadership, it is noteworthy to maintain contact with those who have influenced our life.
It can be as simple as a card, a reminder of their impact.
Family Feud, a popular game show, hosts the famous line, “Survey Says…”
Contestants provide answers to questions nearest the most popular answers given by people who were surveyed.
When we consider 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 our work ethic?
When we take into account our outreach to others, what would the survey say about the “type” of people we seek to influence?
There is value in surveying every area of life and measuring it by the example provided in Jesus.