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.
We have no way of knowing how long we have before desperation creates a situation of panic and despair.
A number of warning signs may indicate we face the last chance for something significant when considering our leadership.
This may be the last chance to…
a) Help someone reach their potential in fulfilling personal dreams and goals.
b) Prepare those closest with a legacy that will help them carry on without us.
c) Build a relationship that improves our ability to lead others to greater success.
If we treat every opportunity as the last chance, what we accomplish may make a lasting difference.
How do you want others to remember you? If you know the nature of words you want spoken when you leave this earth, it is vital to live that way now.
The good you want others to remember does not happen by accident, but it involves the effort you put forth now to make a difference in the lives of others.
Engrave on the hearts of those who know you the type of words and actions that demonstrate your love and care.
Leadership involves a special role and when we lead others in the way of integrity, righteousness, and truth. The legacy lives on in future generations.
There is a difference between helping and enabling. There is also a difference in how we perceive helping and the reality of our actions.
Remember the proverb: Give someone a fish and feed them for a day or teach them how to fish and feed them for life. Which one is really helping?
Our leadership needs to be based on the same idea. When we strive to help someone, it should be considered beyond the temporary need of the moment.
Let us lead with the conviction of helping others long term, perhaps eternally. Here is where the legacy of our leadership will be determined.
There is some powerful implication behind this idea for leadership.
We live in such a self-centered world. Our efforts and concerns tend to be primarily structured in a “what’s in it for me” mentality.
The selfish mindset is so subtly developed and so difficult to overcome. Albert Pike said, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
Our leadership will fail miserably and our legacy devoid of meaning unless we learn the last half of this thought.
All we do should be done for others and the world. This is what truly lasts.
My father’s legacy consisted of the following.
For 30+ years he read the New Testament every month and the Old Testament twice each year.
He preached the gospel for over 50 years.
He was married to the same wonderful woman for 60 years, father to 4 children, grandfather to 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
He developed a series of lessons to share the gospel in a simplistic way with others.
He lived in and by God’s Word. He knew THE book!
He died with his Bible opened to the passage he was studying for his next sermon. Take a moment to read Philippians 2:16.
He led untold numbers of people to know Jesus.
These are a few ways his legacy leaves an incredible example to follow.
If this were our last chance, what would we do?
Warning signs may indicate it is the last chance for something significant when considering our leadership.
It may be the last chance to help someone reach their potential and fulfill their personal dreams.
It may be the last chance to prepare those closest to us with a legacy that helps them carry on when we are gone.
It may be the last chance to build a relationship that improves our ability to lead others to success.
No one knows when, but if we treat every opportunity as the last chance, then what we accomplish will make a lasting difference.
An old saying claims, “Everyone brings happiness, some when they come and some when they leave.” It would be great if leaders brought happiness when they arrived rather than when they left, but such is not always the case.
At some point, we all leave and when that time comes we have to decide the level of integrity and Christlike character we will demonstrate. Consider the following.
Remember the greater good of followers.
Always accept responsibility for actions.
Be kind, never harsh or abrasive no matter how unfairly treated.
Consider Jesus.
We are leaders and how leave makes a difference.
People who attempt to lead without first growing themselves is common. Leaders who attempt to lead without growing others is also common and sad.
Jack Welch is noted for saying, “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”
Spiritual leadership is essential when considering the current situation of the church and world.
However, when we do not first grow ourselves to be a leader and then grow others as a leader, everything and everyone suffers.
The true legacy of a spiritual leader is based on growing into a leader and growing others to be leaders.
What does the future of leadership look like for the Lord’s church?
Is there an understanding of why this is important for the future?
Are plans being made for the next generation of leaders and how they will lead?
Will the legacy left behind be one of strong leadership?
Who will take the role of preparing these leaders for the time when they are needed?
When will the plans be enacted?
These are only a few questions that deserve consideration, but the answers are vital to knowing the future of God’s kingdom. Are we ready?