Tag: Leadership

Amazing News

When the news is exciting, we want someone to tell us and, in turn, we tell others. Good news is often difficult to find.

Sadly, the good news of Jesus is becoming less and less exciting. The distractions of commercialism, family, health, finances, and life tend to exasperate the joy and excitement of something as intangible as a relationship with Jesus.

We need to remember, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

If the news is exciting, tell everyone. When the news is overwhelmingly beyond a level of excitement, be thankful and share.

Self-Evaluation

The challenge of taking time to examine our own character and see how it measures up can be frustrating.

Simon Fuller said, “What angers us in another person is more often than not an unhealed aspect of ourselves. If we had already resolved that particular issue, we would not be irritated by its reflection back to us.”

People who are critical of others often struggle with the same issues in their own life.

When we correct the unresolved issues in our lives, we can see more clearly how to help others. Please read Matthew 7:1-5.

A Matter of Trust

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.

Applied Leadership

What is the significance of the word – apply?

Biblically, it’s about acting, doing, or making something happen. Jesus claimed that wisdom is based both on hearing His words and applying them (Mt. 7:24-27). James warns of being self-deluded if we hear without application (Jas. 1:21).

What good does it accomplish to hear something that will improve our walk with God, help us mature in faith, or strengthen our relationships with others but do nothing?

Leadership requires us to provide an example of application if we ever hope to lead others.

Others-Directed Leaders

While we want others to understand what it is like to walk in our shoes, walking in their shoes is not as appealing.

Leaders need the ability to sympathize and empathize with others. Thus, we need to see through their eyes.

What will we see when looking through the eyes of others?

We may see ourselves differently.
We may see more hurt or pain.
We may see greater joy, love, faith, and peace.
We may also see different levels of need we that overlooked before.

Whenever we see and feel what others see and feel, our leadership becomes “others-directed.”

Life-Changing Leadership

“If you plan for a year, plant a seed;
If for 10 years, plant a tree;
If for a hundred years, teach the people.” unknown

The idea behind this thought leads in the direction of changing, not just the future, but generations to come.

Thinking more long-term requires extensive consideration to the goals and plans that bring about transformation, the kind of transformation that influences our grandchildren’s children.

This is where leaders are needed. The global culture needs leadership to step up and act in ways that will teach people. Here is where life changes!

A Good Thing

Is it possible there can be too much of a good thing?

A good thing is generally subjective to each individual based on their worldview. Obviously, this introduces a number of challenges.

When we consider the range of mindsets from self-serving to self-denying, we realize quickly that a good thing can either be about what benefits “me” or “others.”

From a biblical perspective, leadership focuses on the benefits of others, placing their needs above our own.

If everyone understood and practiced this form of leadership, I am pretty certain we could not have too much of a good thing?

One Shot

At times, we only have one shot at an opportunity God provides in leading others to Christ.

If we only had one shot, would we understand the necessity of making it count? What factors need to be considered to make it count?

The priority must be Christ. Focus everything on Him.

Develop relationships. People need to know Jesus and when we develop those relationships, we can change their lives eternally.

In reality, we do not know how many opportunities will be provided. One shot may be all we have and need, so be ready for it and make it count!

Micro-Managing Leaders

We all know leaders who micro-manage every area. They want a hand in every intricate part of the project or activity.

They tend to experience fear if something happens they do not control.

We need to rethink the approach we take in leading others for the sake of our Lord and Savior.

We plant and water, remembering that He is the One who will make it grow. If we can focus on doing our part, He will do His!

The challenge enters when we think we are responsible for God’s part and micro-manage our influence in leading others. Trust God to do His part.

The Father’s Business

Thinking about the early life of Jesus raises an interesting thought about “taking care of business.” At the age of 12, when Jesus is approached by His mother, He asked her, “Did you not know that I had to be about My Father’s business” (Lk. 2:49 KJV).

Considering the focus of Jesus at this point in His life is a reminder to all of us about the business we need to be focused on…our Father’s business.

When we lead others with this in mind, it changes relationships. Let us always lead others with the Father’s business in mind.