Tag: World

The Light of Leadership

Jesus claimed to be the “Light of the world.” He further told His disciples, “You are the light of the world…,” concluding the thought by saying, “Let your light shine…”

There can be no doubt that Jesus planned for His followers to reflect His character, virtue, and example in a world that does not welcome the light and often attempts to extinguish it.

Katelyn Irons challenged us with this thought, “Shine with all you have. When someone tries to blow you out, just take their oxygen and burn brighter.”

For leaders, it’s about leading out of being. The light is who we are, not just what we do.

Disciplined Leaders…Part 1

The concept of discipline is prevalent throughout the Bible.

The difference between the lifestyle of the world and Christianity is one of discipline.

The Christian life is built upon discipline, or as it is often identified, self-control. However, there is a difference in these two terms. While there are areas that overlap between them, discipline adds the practices and habits of life that lend to character development. Self-control is more specific to controlling self in the area of emotions and desires.

The challenge introduced here involves learning how to develop the kind of discipline that sets Christians apart from the rest of the world.

Changing the World

Love, humility, and charity, are qualities that increase a leader’s influence.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and in all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life, knowing that in this world no one is all knowing and therefore all of us need both love and charity.”

The way leaders approach life can change the world. Mrs. Roosevelt’s thoughts provide a good compass for how we bring about that change.

Virtual or Reality

Walt Disney once said, “I don’t want the public to see the world they live in while they’re in the Park (Disneyland). I want them to feel they’re in another world.”

The world we live in seems to have an insatiable desire to avoid reality. The real world brings challenges to our families, financial problems, personal health difficulties, and the list goes on. Getting away from this “realness” is tempting, but is it possible?

Everyone needs time to rejuvenate, but the world of leadership is not one that exists in the “virtual” realm. It requires an understanding of reality to address the various challenges presented in life. Let us lead accordingly.

Where There Is No Leadership

Two times in the book of Judges, we learn that where there was no leadership, “every man did what was right in his own eyes.”

Looking around at the world today indicates that far too many people live as though there is no leadership.

While leadership is not always what it should be, our influence as Christians must be different.

Christians are not following leadership in the secular realm. We are following the leadership of the almighty God.

As we measure up the example of our life before others, perhaps leading with such intent will instill hope for a better tomorrow.

The Principle of Leadership

A principle is defined as a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct.

We find that principles are foundational to leadership. The world around us measures what they see and hear by the profession of our faith.

If the principles by which we proclaim the gospel do not align with an example evidenced by word and deed, accusations of hypocrisy are rightly made.

When these principles do align, they breathe life into our character.

When this happens, lives change and souls are influenced for the cause of our Lord.

Change the World

Perhaps it is only a dream. Maybe it is a scam or an incredible sales pitch. Can it be true?

As long as we limit our thinking that the opportunity to change the world is an impossibility, we never will.

Change occurs one person at a time, but if we take that one person and guide them to do the same, we multiply our sphere of influence.

The power of possibility is magnified to incredible heights.

This is how we change the world and it all begins with you and me. May God use us to do so!

Fire-Lighting Leadership

Who are the fire-lighters in your life? We all have them and we need those who are able to say or do that one thing that excites the passion within us to act and achieve.

Leaders also need to light the fire in others. Whose fire are you lighting?

Your words and actions have the power to create motivation in the lives of others. The result changes the world.

When you extend a helping hand, speak an encouraging word, or give the most valuable gift, you make an eternal difference.

Be the leader God called you to be in this world.

What Do We See?

Vision is not just about sight, but insight to see beyond what is right in front of us.

When we look at the world around us, what do we see?
When we look at our neighbors and friends, what do we see?
When we look at our families, what do we see?
When we look at the church, what do we see?
When we look at ourselves, what do we see?

Our vision strongly affects the way we see others and ourselves. Our vision is foundational to our understanding of and approach to the urgency before us.

Flexible Leadership…

While several leadership qualities were demonstrated by Paul, one is key: flexibility (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Notice the driving force of Paul’s flexibility, “So that I might win…by all means save some.” Nothing took greater precedence in his life than leading others to Christ.

There was no compromise to the truth. The “anything goes” approach was unacceptable. At all times he was in submission to Jesus.

Notice the flexibility of personal choice: “I do all things for the sake of the gospel.”

If Christians could model this today, we could change the world.