Tag: Sunset

A Waste of Time…

When we give our energy, time, and talent to achieve success, we may hear a voice that says, “What you are doing makes no difference. You are wasting your time.”

Life can be filled with “time wasters.”

However, leading is never a waste of time when we lead someone to Christ, or when we lead them to a greater life of faithfulness.

The number of events working to attack the use of our time will never end. The choice is ours in how we deal with those events when they occur.

Always remember that leadership is never a waste of time for the one we lead.

Learning from Yesterday…

I am aware we cannot live in the past, nor can we return and change it. If we all had a chance to live yesterday over I am sure there are areas we would change.

Yesterday provides a benefit to our leadership in several ways.

1) We learn from the successes and failures.
2) We plan a better future based on history.
3) We establish measures to prevent duplicating mistakes.
4) We lead others on a straighter course.

I know we all strive to survive the present with an anticipation of the future. However, we also need to stop occasionally and benefit from the past.

The Worth of Leadership…

What is leadership worth to our spouse? Children? Church family? Us?

Let us focus on the idea of worth.

Most of us find our worth in what we do. The value of what we accomplish, the skills we possess, the praise of others for a job well done, or our level of achievement seems to determine our worth.

However, nothing we do has greater worth than fulfilling our God-given roles as husbands and wives, mothers and fathers. 

We need to express this more within our families.

Lead in Love…

An old Swedish Proverb says, “Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I really need it.”

Applying this thought challenges us on several levels. When we love and receive nothing in return, we feel unappreciated, helpless, and rejected.

In those moments we should remember how God feels when He loves and receives nothing in return. 

Leaders need to know that when we love those who least deserve it, two things happen: 1) We demonstrate a God-like spirit, and 2) We help those who really need to understand the nature of God’s love.

The effort is worth it when we consider the outcome. Lead in love!

The Sweet Spot of Leadership…

The sweet spot is a place on the baseball bat or golf club, that when contacting the ball, produces the sweetest sound, smoothest feel, and furthest distance.

In leadership, challenges and problems often take the wind out of us. During these times we tend to think about giving up or finding another job.

However, when we make the right contact, it produces the sweetest moment and encourages us to keep going.

We need to remember our leadership makes a difference. 

No one ever promised an easy or comfortable path. However, we are promised one worth our effort. This is why we strive to lead others to Christ.

A Last Chance to Lead…

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.

Leadership Preparation…

Preparation today makes a difference tomorrow.

What are we preparing for today?

1) God’s guidance in seeking the right priorities.
2) Focus on what is important, not urgent.
3) Trust that if tomorrow doesn’t arrive, we accomplished what matters most.
4) Never miss an opportunity to tell someone, “I love you.”
5) Do something nice for someone who will never find out.
6) Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
7) Close the day with prayer giving thanks for the good and bad.

These are a few ideas, but regardless of what happens, if we follow them we will live a full life.

Leading With The Future In View…

How will we lead when we consider the future of…

Our children? The choices they make? Their friends? Their work ethic? 

Our church? The confidence of the church? Their hope? The promise of eternity? 

Our neighbors? Who they turn to during trials? Their spiritual questions? How they see Jesus?

Our friends? Their spiritual focus? Their approach to relationships? When they face temptation? 

Our co-workers? Their knowledge of biblical principles? Their character? Their home-life? 

When we consider their future, it is worth giving thought to how we lead.

What Are We Seeking?

As a leader, what do we see in others?

John Lubbock said, “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.”

Do we seek the best…or the worst?
Are we seeking truth…or are we satisfied with preconceived ideas?
Do we seek just enough to get by…or do we seek ways to excel?
Will we seek to provide compassionate and understanding leadership…or will we seek our own way? 

The attitude of others reflects the leadership they seek to follow. What we look for in others is exactly what they will look for in us. Are we leading with this in mind?

The Last Word In Leadership…

Do we ever feel like we need to have the last word? 

As spiritual leaders, we need to understand who, or perhaps what, should have the last word.

Many disregard, neglect, avoid, abuse, change, or rewrite it, but God’s word remains THE source for leadership.

It provides everything for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3).
It remains the light to direct our steps (Ps. 119:105).
It instills hope when life is filled with doubt (Ro. 5:1-5).

His word never changes! 

If we use His word in our leadership, we will always change the lives of those who follow.