The
best leaders that I have met through my years of life and ministry have been
those who are in the middle of what is going on. I’ve met some who try to lead from the
proverbial side-lines and others from their plush office. In no way am I trying to cut down leaders,
but this is my experience.
It is
when I am with those I am trying to lead that I can be most effective. Followers and co-workers need to hear from
their leaders. They need to feel the
heartbeat of the leader and even get a glimpse of the passion that drives that
particular leader.
Unless
that leader is in the middle of the people it is very hard to lead. I’d like to spend few minutes sharing some
insights from Philippians 3.
But
before those insights I acknowledge that there are times when you cannot be in
the middle of where the people are. We
have to have time alone with God. Stay
tied to and in the Word of God. Be quiet
in the presence of God listening and following.
Remind and even help those who lead you to spend those important times
with God.
Let’s
move on. In the middle of the crowd
there are some obvious things that can happen.
The Apostle Paul had the heart of God, and we ought to learn from his
leading, planting churches and teaching disciples.
I don’t mean
to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached
perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus
first possessed me. 13 No,
dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one
thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of
the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is
calling us. 15 Let all who
are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I
believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But
we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
We
have not arrived, and we as leaders cannot make or manipulate others into
thinking that we have arrived, or that we are better. What we must do is lead with confidence from
what we have heard and learned from God.
Paul
said, “I press on to perfection”. That
perfection comes completely and totally from Christ. He leaned on God. He focused on what matters and on who makes a
difference. Paul’s leading came from the
middle and even out front from where those following where around him. Paul applied the truth that he received from
God.
One
thing Paul applied was the fact that “his past doesn’t define him”. If we apply that fact, we will leave behind
what is behind and press on to the awesome future that is ahead of us. He pressed on to touch Christ or to reach
what God had in store for him.
Another
piece that Paul applied was the fact that “the future God has for us is
incredible”. Our best days are ahead of
us. Don’t try to manufacture what the
future is for you, but let God guide and build the future. He will give you, Paul believed, where you
are to walk and how you are to lead. You
have to be with the people to lead them.
The
last piece that I share with you that Paul applied to his leading was the fact
that “unity among Christ followers is important”. Unity is a choice, and as we follow God,
apply His truth and work together that we will find the unity that God will
provide for us. People will find unity
as they see their leaders practicing unity among them. We cannot demonstrate unity or lead with
unity if we are not with the people God called us to lead.
Are
you a leader? Then lead from the
middle. Apply the truth God has given
you. Let the forgiveness of God and your
past be your past, and move on to the bright future God has for you. The people that we lead deserve the best
possible leaders. I pray they not only
hear my voice and feel my heartbeat, but that they are also influenced by the
passion I have to make a difference in our community and beyond!
Pray for these:
Pray for our friend Jim Moss from The Community as he
needs work and deals with issues.
Continue to pray for Carolyn Cassell, Tony Nichols, Jennifer Bradshaw, Sandra
Jamison and others on your mind. There
are only a few days left for end-of-the year gifts to The Community
Fellowship. Please help us serve the
hungry, hurting and homeless. Give
online at THIS
LINK.
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