the leadership tests

There is a struggle for many Christians, I really believe it’s more common that we want to admit – we are not living our lives as the real person God wants us to be.

I’ve been a Christian for a while now and this book was a reminder for me to make sure I am living as the real me. Living life with my ‘eyes wide open’, seeing God in the right way and the difference that will make to how I see myself and how I see others too.

For me the theme of the book was captured right at the start…‘Distorted images are not only shaping your perspective but also hindering your possibilities’ Maybe acknowledging that we do this is the beginning of the journey. Then there is the opportunity to travel through the rest of the dialogue and open our eyes to God, to our true Identity, to Change and then to Influence. After all, once you recognise who God is and what He has done for you – your changed life can influence in amazing ways.

So many thoughts jumped out a me. Here’s a few…
…God is into forgiveness – not payback
…God is not holding our mistakes over us & trying to punish us. He loves to forgive & empower
…boredom emerges when you are not using your gifts – apathy starts with self-comfort
…dropping masks requires authenticity; facing secrets requires confession
…we were created in love, with love and by love
…love motivates us to engage our culture and seek to restore it

I acknowledge that I have not lived with my eyes wide open all the time. Sometimes it’s easier to keep them closed – in an ‘ignorance is bliss’ kind of fashion. But in all honesty, that ’s not good enough. God needs me to live out my true identity in Christ, that changes culture, that challenges people and loves and forgives as He loves and forgives me.

This is a great, easy read suitable for all Christians. Insight, teaching & wisdom for the mature & younger Christian alike. Get your copy here.

I haven’t been a Pastor very long. It will be one year in March. Really enjoying the journey though, doing my best to become all that God would want me to be. The people, the vision, the challenge, the determination, the prayer, the study, the believing God for change, growth, to make a difference in Darlington.

Despite my early days I think I could empathise with Moses as I read Numbers 11:11-15 and wondered does every Pastor feel like this sometimes? Frustrated with ‘the people’ that you have given by God, overwhelmed by the burden, of carrying the vision, of carrying and leading them, the disappointment that they don’t always seem to understand what is going on?

I think that God just heard the cry from the heart of a man who wanted to do his best. I think God never intended for Moses to carry it alone and was always ready and willing to bring others on board to help with carrying the load. It needs to be the same with us as Pastors…would you agree?

Hope you are getting something from these posts. Gaining momentum is a tough challenge. Here are my final thoughts which could help…

4. Stick to it.
Sticking at something is not easy. It is however the difference maker. They say that doing one thing for 21 days makes it a habit. I don’t know how true that is but if you want it become a part of your lifestyle you must stick to it. Don’t let it drift. Don’t let the time get stolen by other stuff. For it to move from being a good intention to a value it must stick.

It means not letting failing now and then stop you.
It means not allowing other more trivial things deflect you from the path you wish to travel.
It means making adjustments along the way, not waiting until its too late.

5. Become accountable to someone.
To gain momentum having someone to whom you are accountable is extremely important. Most people do not make it on their. John Maxwell says that one is too smaller a number to achieve greatness.

Behind every ‘overnight’ success is a team of people keeping them on track.

You need someone in you world who can ask more than ‘how’s it going?’ They need to be able to tell when you are wrong, challenge your actions, as well as help you when you are struggling, pick you up when you fall.

Even Solomon understand that 2 are better than 1. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves”. [Eccl 4:9-12]

To gain momentum: get an accountability point in your world.

What do you think?