We kill a lot of brain cells thinking about how to improve our leadership and leadership teams. The KISS model is the best. And it just so happens that’s the biblical model, too. Live righteously. And build others up (Ephesians 4:29). Yup, it’s that simple.
But the reality is that it is hard to consistently lead well. We are designed by God to function in unity and harmony, parts of a body. Yet we tend to think we are the most important part. All too often, we think our way is the wise way (the smartest guy in the room disease). We are prone to selfish ambition and a stubborn desire for recognition and approbation. I am guilty of that. I can live a month on one 'atta boy'. But I'm (slowly) learning to let the drive for credit and acknowledgment go and to replace that with a keen awareness of what God sees and says (Romans 12:16).
I'm convinced God is for us (Romans 8:31-32). God will bridle us if need be, but He doesn't want to. He wants to guide us along the best pathway for our lives (Psalm 32:8-9). God loves us that much.
So, back to leadership. Leading righteously (or put another way, living with purity and a life lived in honesty) is an individual thing. I can't do it for you, nor you for me. It’s between each of us and God. However, we can encourage each other to be disciplined so that we are effective as leaders. Sure, leaders can be talented and truly be the smartest guy in the room, but without godly character, the truth is we will ultimately be ineffective.
We want to build on a firm foundation, and we want what we build to last and produce more, long after we are gone from the organization. So, yes, let's talk about godly character and what it means to be a righteous person. I dare say these virtues used to be better known: compassion, sincerity, carefulness, thrift, love, energy, hard work, humility, courage, modesty, grace, discretion, good memory, creativity, industriousness, etc. I'm sure you can add to that list. But as part of that exercise, never gloss over sin. Lord Jesus, we humbly confess our rebellion to You. Yes, we blow it. Gosh, we will likely blow it before this morning is through. But don’t call it a slip. Don’t pretend that it is just a little personal matter (ahem…). Instead, like King David, call a spade a spade (Psalm 32:1-11). It's sin, our sin. And we each need to take that to God.
And never use someone else’s sin to justify yours. Everyone’s doing it, yadda, yadda. Not acceptable. Instead, say sorry to God. Repent. And turn to God. The need for righteousness and godly men and women who lead by example is the Bible’s ethic. It’s God’s standard.
Let's encourage each other to put away all guile and hypocrisy and help others today. I know I can do better at encouraging others. Yes, build someone up today with words and actions. So much of our day is self-focused.
We will have an opportunity in every email, every letter, every Teams call, and every prayer to be others-focused. Encourage others. Find ways to build others up! By God's grace, we can build up our teams, turn around our companies, and have our nations flourish.
God is the creator and sustainer. Scripture, through the power of the Holy Spirit, works on us like a baker’s hands on fresh dough. It is our God who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind (Job 38:36). AI is amazing, but nothing compares to the creativity, truth, power, and strength of Almighty God.
It is our all-knowing, all-powerful God who laid down His only Son’s life for us so we can know Him and have life. And so that we can build and prosper and work alongside Him as He builds His Kingdom.
God is so good to us. He's given us this day to grow, help others, renovate, rejuvenate, and build. Like Job, let’s be humble. He apologized to God for challenging God’s goodness and justice and for arguing when he should have been listening. And in the end God blessed Job and listened and answered as Job prayed for his friends.
Lord Jesus, we need You in everything. We need courage to take on new roles and new challenges. We need help as we are often scared. We make the simple complex, and focus on ourselves when we should be focused on helping others. Please help us, Lord Jesus, to pray well for our friends and families. May we not seek to be admired by others. But may our good deeds be pleasing to You. May we not seek to pray publicly like the hypocrites, but may our prayer be earnest and honest and said in faith. May we forgive those who sin against us today. May we not seek a reward here for giving, praying, and faith, but let us, Oh God, look forward to meeting You. May we not be scared to take on hard tasks. Give us the hard ones, please. Instead, make us courageous. Help us to hear your instructions today. And finally, let us not be greedy, but rather generous. Lord Jesus, in all things today, let us ask you what to do. Please guide us. Amen.
The Market in Suchitoto, El Salvador.
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