Tag: Time

How Did We Use Our Time?

Today marks the beginning of a new month and, hopefully, positive steps toward the end of a pandemic.

Have you wondered where the time went? 

Perhaps a more pertinent question is, “What did we do with the time to influence lasting change in the lives of others?”

We should ask ourselves, “Did we introduce someone to Jesus? Did we provide a greater influence for the kingdom?”

Although the pandemic may not be completely over, we must always think about our influence and how we lead others.

Actions and Motives…

Leaders give of their time and ability. They possess a willingness to help others reach their greatest potential for God and His church.

Leaders are also selfless. While the ideas are interrelated and it can become difficult to distinguish them, the difference is the action of one and the motivation in the other. 

Effective leadership makes the sacrifice, but the reason they make it is the selfless heart of God’s servant.

William Barclay once said, “Always give without remembering; always receive without forgetting.”

The thought speaks to actions and motives. It should motivate us to lead this way.

Catching Our Breath…

Have we ever considered how often God works to help us see the need to stop and smell the roses? 

In life, something always needs to be done. Life is full…and busy.

We’ve all heard the adage “the older we get the faster time goes by.” As we age and the pace of life steadily increases, we must realize the need to take a moment to catch our breath.

Leaders will always have something that needs to be done. We need to establish proper priorities and develop a strong work ethic, but occasionally, we need to take a moment to catch our breath.

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.

Relationship-Building Conduct…

“Time decides who you meet in life, your heart decides who you want in your life, and your behavior decides who stays in your life.” Unknown

For our purpose in today’s post, let’s focus on the last phrase.

People come and go for many reasons, job transfers, family matters, economic changes, and a host of circumstances.

Have we ever considered the impact of our conduct on those who stay or leave?

Our conduct has the power to create a bond that no distance can separate.

The choice is ours. When our conduct is Christlike, relationships develop a bond that keep people in our lives.

The Value of Time…

“Just a second” is usually the catch phrase we use when we are busy and someone requires our attention.

To a child, time is incomprehensible. However, the value of time is priceless.

For adults, we only know and comprehend time, but the value we place on time is usually based on what we earn in the space of time.

Spiritual leaders need to comprehend and place a greater value on time.

A time is coming when time will no longer exist. We really cannot comprehend the idea of eternity, but what we need to understand is that how we use our time now determines our eternity.

Let us make the most of our time.

Childlike Leadership…

The world is a different place when looking through the eyes of a child. Imagine how doing so would help our leadership.

Worry not about tomorrow, it might not come anyway.

It is okay to get angry, but make up quickly and play as if it never happened.

Stop thinking about the clock. The value of time cannot really be measured by it.

Live life with anticipation of what we get to do each day.

Value the security of knowing someone else is in charge. Thank you Father.

We can learn much from children and their approach to life. Jesus said that unless we become like them we cannot enter the kingdom.

Essential Recovery…

Most people understand the challenges of the recovery process involved after surgery.

Think about the nature of recovery.

Time is involved. The capabilities of the body to recover are amazing, but healing requires time. Leadership development and recovering from mistakes requires the same.

Repair prevents permanent damage. The nature of surgery and recovery is to prevent irreparable problems. Our leadership can avoid future breakdowns when we take steps needed to prevent permanent damage.

Successful recover requires following the physician’s instructions. And following the Great Physician’s instructions is essential to help spiritual leaders heal.

More could be said, but keep in mind the purpose and necessity of recovery.

Lifelong Leadership…

Leadership is a lifelong process. Here are a few lessons to consider. 

Leadership is developed over time. God works to develop our leadership over a lifetime. He trains by giving us the experience we need. 

Developing a leader involves periods of suffering. These times may result in isolation, which helps us reflect and prepare for greater leadership.

Proper perspective is the goal of leadership development. When we recognize God’s hand in our life, our perspective changes, even when we suffer. 

If we trust in God’s working, we become the masterpiece He desires of us.

Event-Oriented Culture…

We mentioned time-oriented challenges yesterday. However, the majority of people live in a more event-oriented culture.

An event-oriented culture does not focus on the convenience of time, or how much time is needed to accomplish the task. The event takes precedence. Therefore, whatever amount of time is needed to finish the event will be given to it. 

There are pros and cons to both cultures and when leaders use the beauty of each, the time to accomplish each specific task becomes the key to success.

When leaders examine the current culture and lead in ways that use the orientation of the individual or group, they succeed in leading them where they need to go.