Successful Life & Leadership

I plopped face first in a pile of emotion. Near tears, but refused to succumb. What would the kids think? I felt overwhelmed, unworthy, and unable. Pick an area of life–any area. I was totally unfit to accomplish anything I was supposed to do in all areas of my life. I had so many good and necessary tasks to carry out and fulfill God’s calling on my life, but looming over me was a sense of utter inability and sure-fire failure. This feeling was all in my head . . . or was it?

I had the same twenty-four hours as others to accomplish the actions items that overloaded my table. What to do first? Do I have what it takes? What if I mess up? Living life was frightening. Dying seemed a respite of peace. But before dirt is thrown in my face, would anything I’ve done, said, or stood for be considered beautiful, jaw dropping, or worthy? I was called to share the encouragement of Christ, but there were so many steps, means, and ways to do it that confusion and frustration concerning my lack took over and I found myself in need of the encouragement I was to give. I wanted to hang it all, find a hole in the sand and stick my head in it. It was too many things to do, too many choices to make, and not enough of me to go around.

Since I was a leader, speaker, and writer, and my life an example (at least to my kids), I did what any powerless leader might do. I lay in an emotional heap, bare before God and open before his Word for the day’s reading. God spoke . . .

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ (Oh yes. Lord, I have much encouragement from our relationship.), if any comfort from his love (Yes, your love and acceptance is great comfort in my inability and insecurity.), if any fellowship with the Spirit (How sweet is the fellowship with you, your Spirit, and your word! It is better than life, and makes life worth living.), if any tenderness and compassion (You are tender and compassionate with my frailties and shortcomings. I will be filled with the same for others.), 2 then make my joy complete (Thank you! Because of your work in and through me, you make me completely joyful.) by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose (In unity of mind, love, spirit, and purpose with you, I can be and do all you call me to do.).
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Yes Lord, I will not consider anything related to myself, rather relish in your love and acceptance and build others up.) (Phil. 2:1-4, NIV).

I learned five essentials to a successful life for overcoming mountains of insecurity, conquering heaps of responsibility, and fulfilling God’s purpose for my life.

Humility. Effective leaders are servants. Servants consider those they serve as more important than themselves. Leaders place their needs aside to serve the needs of others. Authentic leadership doesn’t seek to make a name for themselves, but to build up those they serve. Genuinely effective leaders are created in time spent with God.

Prayer. Effective leaders are in constant communion with God. They know their power to lead comes from God alone, and without prayer their leadership is less powerful, original, and creative. Prayer makes a good leader better.

Word. Effective leaders find guidance and direction in God’s Word. They know without the truth of scripture there is no hope, no point to work towards. Servant leaders search God’s word for direction and leadership for their own lives then translate what they learn to lead others.

Follow Through. Effective leaders lead. They follow through in all the ways in which God leads. That sounds elementary, but this is where the well intentioned remains only intentions. They don’t do it all perfectly. Authentic leaders are not only willing to lead, but honest enough to understand not everything they try will work. Good leaders are quick to evaluate, try a new tactic, and keep at the job in the face of failure. Thomas Edison said, "I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work." Follow through is key to success.

Assistance. Effective leaders look for ways to include others. They know their limitations and "staff" to their weaknesses. God provides helpers to complement our weaknesses. "Look to the hills from whence our help comes" (Psalms 121:1). Good leaders know the more they empower and include others to serve the more creative and effective are the outcomes.

My near tears of discouragement turned into joy and compassion. I gained a renewed purpose to continue working at the increasing load on my table knowing that it is God who called and he is able to finish what he started with me, his imperfect instrument (2 Tim 1:12). With God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it." (Col. 4:17, HCSB). I am eager to watch God move this mountain of responsibilities, inabilities, and frailties to make a splendid wonder out of my nothing. How great is our God!