Leadership is a gift.  Leadership is a privilege.  Leadership, as defined by John Maxwell, is “influence.”  Such a global definition of leadership is so inclusive that it would be hard not to recognize yourself as a leader.  To that end, whether you are a stay-at-home mom leading your children into purpose, a supervisor leading a staff to accomplish this quarter’s goals, or a minister leading the Joshua generation into promised territory; your character and attitude matter to God.   

   Earlier this week, I had the honor of speaking to a group of women preparing to launch their new year of women’s ministry.  Each one at different places in their lives and spiritual walk yet divinely put together to infuse a local body of believers with the joy, strength, and love of God.  It is from that talk that I  share a few points with you today. 

Walking the road of  Christian leadership can sometimes be daunting. It only takes few minutes to realize that as leaders you really do have to work with people.  Working with people can sometimes present challenges–just ask Jesus, he had “The Big 12″.   There will be times you get excited about things but others don’t always share your enthusiasm.  You will find that even in the perfect world of faith things get mixed up and misunderstood.  You will definitely find that  sometimes you have more ideas and thoughts than resources. Yet, be encouraged and know that God has positioned you for this hour.   As you walk the road of leading others, keep these four points in your heart and mind and you should find the road more amiable.  

1.   Focus.  Okay, an old word but here is a new twist.  As you lead others focus on the commonalities rather than the differences.  We are all different from one another in some way but we are bound together by the love of God.  Focusing on differences only increases division, while magnifying the common ground builds unity.

2.  Balance.  Great leadership flows out of a balanced life.  The amount of balance in your natural life is an indicator of the true balance of your spiritual life.  If your life is out of balance, it is difficult to serve others at the level God desires.  The concept of creating  and living a balanced life  means having your priorities identified and being true to them.   Also, recognizing the importance of  knowing when to say, “yes” and when to say “no.”  Personal stability is the foundation for leading others with power.

3.  Grace.  When we mess up, mix it up or otherwise “get it twisted,” we are very quick to understand our situation and give ourselves grace.   As a  leader be quick to appropriate the same if not more grace to others. Forgiveness and compassion must flow out of you freely. 

4.  Sanctify your feelings.  Be aware that even as a chosen leader everyone won’t agree with you and you won’t always be right.  First and always, in the face of disagreement follow the Biblical model for resolution.  Next, don’t take it personal.  Don’t allow your emotions to take control of you.  Believe it or not people are not sitting up at night thinking about how to hurt your feelings.  You are called to be lead by the Spirit.  Finally, if you make a mistake admit it, fix it, and grow from it.  This demonstrates Christ in you and speaks volumes to those you lead.

Again, keep these four points in your head and in your heart as you travel the road of leadership and you will find that as you grow in character, so will your level of influence.

Blessings to you today and always,

MC 

    If your goal is to experience the abundant life Christ speaks of in John 10 then it is imperative to walk in freedom.  True freedom can be defined as the ability to do what you should without hindrance.  My questions today are the same as they were  in part 1.  Are you really free?  Is there anything that hinders you from freely pursuing and living the life God designed for you?  If there are hindrances, know that you can overcome them.  With Christ in your life, you have already been declared the victor!

     The practical experience of freedom from hindrances comes as you embrace the truth of God’s word about the issue. In order to change your actions you must expand your thinking. More specifically, your thinking must be in line with the will and word of God.  God desires that we are able to pursue and fulfill the purpose he set for our lives.  A life trapped behind hindrances can impact the expansion of the kingdom.  Procrastination, fear, and lack of life balance are a few examples of hindrances that deny you true fulfillment of purpose.  Surely, they sound familiar.

     Everyone deals with these issues at some point in their lives.   Confirmation of this is found by looking at the sheer number of  methods, tools, and catch phrases on the market today.  At almost any retail store you can find planners and organizers. Statements  like “don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today” and “just do it,” are perfectly crafted to help you move into action.   Each of these things  can be helpful but without a foundation of faith they lack the power to go the distance and provide eternal victory.  

    Believers must address these issues from the aspect of  faith.  Failure to do so will only contribute to their continued “choke hold” on your life.  Admittedly, temporary relief may be found by employing new ideas and methods in accordance with your will; but eventually that which is not based on the word of God will not prevail.  As a believer you must learn to continually cultivate the  ground of your faith. Use methods as tools.  Action or methods employed without the foundation of faith are unfruitful and do not produce God’s abundant life.  

     The world may teach that you can simply take a broken system, employ a few new surface methods, and voila! The system is now fixed and you can now succeed.   But Christ teaches us that it is faith, along with the renovation and transformation of the mind that produces success and pleases God.   So, I encourage you to walk and live by faith and use methods and strategies in proportion to your faith in God. Address hinderances in your life at the level of belief and you will overcome.   Ultimately, recognize that your faith in God is the fuel for your success and freedom.  

If you completed the exercise from part 1 of this post ( remember you were asked to think about things that hinder you).  Take out your list now and begin to address your hindrances at the level of faith.  When you do this you are definitely on the path to experiencing a new level of freedom.  As promised,  here are some tips on overcoming a few of the common challenges that get in the way of our success. 

Procrastination  Spiritual truth: Proverbs 27:1 “do not boast of [yourself and] tomorrow, for you  know not what a day may bring forth. AMP

• practical application: recognize that you have a problem, embrace Gods word and do not take time for granted, determine to do what is required. God will supply your needs.

Fear spiritual basis: 1 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self- control.” AMP

• practical application:  acknowledge and confess the issue to God.  Stand on the provision he has made for your victory over fear.  When we experience fear, we are being challenged to  release power, love, or self discipline into a situation.  In order to overcome determine to give the situation what it requires.

Lack of  life balance: spiritual truth:  Matthew 6:33 ” But seek (aim and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (his way of doing  and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. ”  AMP

• practical application:   believe it or not a life out of balance is an indicator of spiritual imbalance.  The mandate here is clear. Seek God first.  Before you seek success or solutions look for and get under God’s  authority.  Then seek and employ his righteousness. When you do this God will increase you. 

Blessings to you today and always,

MC