Tag: SIBI

What are the Possibilities?

Opportunity has been defined as circumstances presenting possibility. For someone to take advantage of the opportunity, one must see the possibilities. Nicholas Sparks said, “It’s the possibility that keeps me going, not the guarantee.”

When we look at our neighborhood, city, state, nation, or the global community, what possibilities keep us going? Can we see how God is working?

Leadership will not succeed if we only look for guarantees. The possibilities of what God can and will do through us must keep us going.

When leadership is fueled by possibilities, our vision expands toward greater achievement.

The Lord, Our Example…

Nearing the end of Psalms we find a poetic passage that highlights several areas about the Lord, declaring why He is worthy to be praised. He is…

Creator of heaven and earth.
Executor of justice for the disadvantaged.
Provider of sustenance for those in need.
Healer of the afflicted.
Exalter of the downtrodden.
Compassionate to the upright.
Protector of strangers.
Supporter of the orphan and widow.
Frustrater of wicked ways.
Ruler of all.

These ten words are laced throughout the Bible and provide strength to the weak, comfort for the discouraged, and protection for the vulnerable.
Leaders understand and practice the same.

Leading with Tenacity…Part 2

Tenacity is associated with grip, determination, and persistence.

The ability to grip something, or hold on firmly, is crucial for long-term success.
Determination presents an attitude of strength to endure the distractions.
Without persistence, leaders find themselves ready to give up and move on.

Tenacity, as defined in these areas, demonstrates the ability of leaders to take a group of people who might not otherwise continue and motivate them to heights unknown.

With it, leaders build confidence in their approach to the establishment of goals and the development of plans to achieve them.

Leaders must hold on with a tenacious spirit.

Leading with Tenacity…Part 1

When leaders face difficulties, which often plague our journey through life, what can be done to strengthen resolve and motivate perseverance?

The most obvious answer is a tenacious spirit that never gives up. No matter how difficult the challenge, quitting must never be an option.

Seek appropriate help.
Work harder than before.
Remember, you are not alone.

Life presents many twists and turns, some pleasant and others not so pleasant. Regardless of how difficult our journey becomes, the words credited to Winston Churchill still hold true today, “Never, never, never give up.”

The Heart of Leadership…

What we do for others is where leadership shines. Determining what is in the best interest of others must drive our leadership.

Lewis Carroll summarized it this way, “One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.”

We find this common thread throughout the Bible. Reading the book of Philippians quickly reveals the need to have the same mind as Christ, the mind of a humble spirit that regarded others as more important than Himself.

This is the heart of leadership and the future of the church in this world.

Self-aware Leaders…

David often expressed the impact of his actions on his relationship with God. He acknowledges his failings and the division it caused with friends, family and enemies.

In the midst of his penitent suffering, David says of his enemies, “They oppose me, because I follow what is good.”

David exemplifies a leader with self-awareness and reliance upon God.

Godly leaders face many challenges. They often fear people leaving, speaking against them, and facing opposition. Remember to follow what is good, even in the midst of the most difficult challenges.

David concludes, God will not be far away. He is salvation and deliverance.

Self-Control…

A former student, Bill West, summarized Kenneson’s approach to self-control in a powerful way.

The paradox of self-control is clearly stated, self-control is about being master over self by making self the servant (224). In both cases, the master, and subject are both self. Self-control should not be focused on self. While this at first seems to be confusing, Kenneson does a great job of explaining what he means.

Most people read the fruit of the Spirit as things to be done outward, towards other people, then come to self-control and see this as being focused inwardly. This is an incorrect assumption. Self-control, like the rest, is to be focused on others, or as Kenneson puts it ‘other-directed” (237).

I encourage you to get Kenneson’s book and read the depths of his approach to this subject.

Gentleness…

Gentleness provides a contrast to pride and power. Humility and lowliness are critical components of this fruit.

The other-directed nature of gentleness stands in opposition to those who foster aggression, self-promotion, and who desire positions of power.

We cultivate gentleness by altering our posture through prayer, learning to yield, and spending time with those of “no account.”

Praying for those who wrong or anger us increases the difficulty of speaking harshly to or about them.

Humility demonstrates the power to yield our will to others.

Extending hospitality to those without a worldly status or position of power also demonstrates gentleness.

Faithfulness…

Faithfulness is rooted in the very character of God. Reliability, steadfastness, constancy, fidelity, dependability, trustworthiness are all words that describe the qualities of God’s faithfulness.

Amidst the increasing instability of our culture we discover several obstacles to faithfulness.

Nurturing the temporal and disposable elements of life challenge lasting faithfulness. Shunning commitments and focusing our loyalty on improper objects become obstacles to our faithfulness as leaders.

However, we cultivate faithfulness when we celebrate God’s abiding presence, lift Him up in worship, keep our promises, and tell the truth.

Kenneson raises several powerful questions and provides suggestions to the other-directed nature of faithfulness on pages 194-195.

Goodness…

Goodness is a fruit to be cultivated in the midst of a self-help culture. Three thoughts introduce the idea of goodness.

One, the consistent testimony in scripture that God alone is unequivocally good.

Two, if sin makes us incapable of goodness apart from God, as those created in His image, we possess the potential for goodness.

Three, knowing what counts for good can only be determined under the guidance of God’s Spirit.

We cultivate goodness by naming our sin, attending to God’s word, and imitation.

When leaders are characterized by goodness, self-awareness, upward attention, and outward activity cultivate this fruit.