Leading with Purpose.

As leaders, we face the dichotomy of leading and being vulnerable. When this happens, we can so quickly forget about trusting God. We feel like we are unable to be vulnerable because we are leaders. The irony! Our self-confidence slowly dwindles and we soon shrink into a state of isolation for fear of being identified as unfit to lead. By not trusting in God to provide for us we decide to honor ourselves rather than our Creator.

Our lack of confidence resides in our inability to trust in God. Our failure to trust Him stems from our fear of losing control. Control gives way to the very nature that leads us to impulsively steward our lives into a direction we often deem appropriate. Many times this course is way off, leading to frustration, doubt, and a misunderstanding of God’s provision and plan.

Our Perceived Purposes Are So Different From What He Intends.

Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

We can lead with utter self-assurance and perceive our success to stem from our own genius. Or we can be attune to His leading, aligning our lives with His purpose and receiving promised assurance of hope and peace as we are a part of leadership. The only way to do this is to stay in close communication with Him, always expecting to find His guidance in one way or another.

Make Your Plans, But Know that Ultimately They Are Futile.

Isaiah 5:10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”

Leading our congregations or teams should always be accompanied by clear goals and planning. Without a vision, we have no foresight. Without a goal, we have no purpose. Without planning, we inevitably set ourselves up for failure, as unexpected outcomes will arise. That said, our perception of planning should always be based on a desire to include God in it all. In our position of leadership, we have to rely on our Creator, who through His Word can and will show us how to best lead and prepare. Although we cannot predict the outcome, He already knows it!

A Calling With A Purpose.

Isaiah 55:11: “So will my word be that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish that which I purpose, and will succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Our time as a leader is limited. Whether in church, at home, or at work. When we lose sight of why we were called to this position in the first place, we run the risk of failing to persevere until the end. Along the way, we miss out on countless opportunities to see God’s provision and leading first hand. When we look at our circumstances and get focused on outcomes, we fail to recognize the extent of our calling. By placing us in a leadership position, He also made a promise that his Word will go out and not return empty. He promised that He will accomplish what He set out to do. Leading from this understanding will give us so much perspective and help us to build confidence, not in ourselves, but in His ultimate plan.

So, whether you are leading in your family, in your workplace, in your community or in your church family, do so including God in all your plans. May God bless you on your journey.

Principles of Calling.

Most of us feel called to a certain career or work. We can feel called to date and then marry a certain person. We can also feel called to a specific philanthropic work. While there is no doubt each of us have specific areas where we are talented and perform well, God has called us to some things even higher.

You see, you have been called to salvation in Christ Jesus. God ultimately wants every single person to be in a relationship with him. Just read John 3:16-17 to discover that. Through Jesus, God’s son, there was a bridge built so that God and we could have a relationship.

You have also been called to sanctification. That’s a second semester word that simply means “set apart” or “holy unto God”. Paul tells us in Romans 12 that we, as followers of Jesus, are not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our mind. In other words, we have been set apart to live differently than the world around us. Our lifestyle is called to be holy…to look more like Jesus every day.

And you have been called to serve. As we imitate Jesus, we realize whether it was his Father or the people he interacted with daily, Jesus served. Paul says in Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do, do it for Jesus…” And we don’t have to have it all together to do this. God actually calls those who are imperfect and untrained (see 1 Corinthians 1:26). God doesn’t call the prepared, he prepares the called.

However, when you answer God’s call for you life, know there will be a cost. When you say “yes” to Jesus, there is a price to pay. Many of you have discovered this. You are the only Christian in your work place. As you try to live for Jesus, you get criticized and experience isolation. As you represent Jesus in the PTA or the neighborhood watch group, you get called crazy for wanting to look like Jesus.

I have also noticed in my own life, God will often use your deepest pain for your greatest calling. I’ve realized that over the last 10 years. I have some personal pain in my life and I have found God wants to publicly use that to point other’s to him.

But even so, I realize that your calling will sustain you. It carries you forward in your story and the story of God. Look at Paul. He endured so much for Jesus’ cause. How did he stay passionate and moving forward? It was not because he was competent but because he was called. In Philippians 4, Paul says “He presses on for the heavenly prize…” And we should as well. Our goal is to lift the Name of Jesus and move forward knowing we will get to live with our Creator forever.

So don’t let the world talk you out of your calling. Don’t let them hinder your giftedness. God offers you salvation. He calls you to a transformed life. He wants you to serve this world through His story. Blessings on your journey.

Is God Calling You?

You may have said before that you feel called to do something. Maybe called to play football or be a professional gamer. Maybe called to marry this particular person. Maybe called to be a missionary in Africa. But Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:1, that we are called to live a holy life. A life that is set apart for God. We are called to look different than the world around us.

See, calling is about who you are before what you do. Paul also reminds us in 2 Timothy 1, that we are called to live a set apart life. We’ve been called by God, infused by Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish that kind of living. And it’s not a future event. That calling is for us to live that out now. Calling is about your faithfulness to Jesus today.

And Paul reminds us of how inclusive your calling can be. He says in Colossians 3, “Whatever you do or say, do it in the Name of the Lord”. So anything you actually do in life, you are called to live into that in set apart and holy ways. So I am called to be a preacher, dad, and a husband but called to do that in holy, Godly ways. I can be a dad and husband but if I don’t live those out in holy ways, I’m not living into my calling.

No matter what you are doing, know the size of your assignment never determines the significance of your impact. Everything you do, do it for God. That is your calling. Live a life worthy of your calling. We are called to look like Jesus so live that idea out in every way, every day. Blessings on the journey.