Leadership Priorities - A Mindset of Helping Others
I was struck this week by several points made in Tucker Carlson’s interview with Laura Delano. The subject was mental health and the harm done by psychiatric drugs (over 66 million Americans under prescription today!). I was surprised by how Tucker, who calls himself a baby Christian, having just read the Bible for the first time the previous year, weaved biblical examples and principles into the conversation. God is top of mind for him right now. God is working in and through Tucker’s conversations. You can see how God is giving him insight and common sense on issues.
Likewise, Laura’s story blew me away. The thing, though, that struck me the most was not how articulate she was (and she is) or how smart her arguments or the data about drugs were. What struck me was that she is motivated by love. She truly wants to help people. Profound. When we love God, we then supernaturally look at people the way He does. We love them and we want to help them, not harm them. (BTW, for being a baby Christian, I suspect Tucker is leading more people to Jesus Christ than many of our so-called experts. He preaches a message that he’s a sinner and that he’s found salvation in Jesus. It’s powerful, because it’s genuine.)
That too should be the way of the church. A people on a mission to do good deeds following the will of Christ Jesus. And motivated by love. That, I suspect, is why the early hospitals were Christian arms of the church. They were set up not to profit or to enrich those serving in them, but to heal, out of love. We should never attempt to use God for gain. God forbid! And never use His people for our benefit. What an abomination, a church set up for the gain of those who lead it. And God forbid we have indifference to the plight of those in our community.
Kari and I helped at a church cleaning bee yesterday. Our church was given a 200-year-old large church building, and it had soviet era furniture in it and (I kid you not) floppy discs from the ‘70s and all sorts of stuff that hadn’t been cleaned out for decades and decades. It will take a lot of work to get that old girl renovated, but man, is she beautiful. I provided the muscle. Load after load to the dumpster. I can sure feel it today. My muscles are aching. I slept well last night. The surprising thing is how good it felt to work alongside the other men and women, and kids. All of us, equal before God. Just working a simple cleaning bee.
Leaders, prioritize well. In every aspect of our lives. I want to challenge you as Christian leaders, not to compartmentalize your life. I don’t think the oft-taught picture of God first, then marriage, then kids, then work, is helpful. As believers in Jesus, we are new creations. Everything through, and by our relationship to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Colossians 3:1-4).
Jesus' little flock must listen to Him and heed His instruction in every aspect of our lives. Yes, we all have leadership responsibilities. And yes, our roles at the city gate are different than our roles with our grandkids. But as disciples of Jesus, every day and every area is surrendered to God’s will, for we know His will is for our highest and best interest.
With God, we are in business in common with a view to making a profit. Cooperation. Partnership. But it’s not a profit as the prosperity preachers and televangelists mean. The profit comes from good deeds. The Holy Spirit produces fruit as our reward now and in eternity.
It is counterintuitive, but it’s true. It feels so good to give, to help without recognition or any reward. The betterment of someone else is the reward.
Think of the various aspects and interests involved in a year of your life. Each ought to be with God and aligned with His will. Yes, keep dreaming. Yes, God gives you desires and capabilities, and He wants you to fulfill them. God is creative, and He expects us to think and innovate, and create. After all, He's Good!
Travel, culture, cooking, and learning new languages. Cleaning. Grocery shopping. Teaching others. Improving your home and yard. Relations with your neighbors (yes, they see you as much as you see them). Your professional development (whether you are an NHL player or an old lawyer, you are never too good for the basics and never too old to learn new things). Your marriage. Your kids. And grandkids. Fitness, health, and diet. Etc. All of it is to and for God.
The world says get success, security, and significance. So does God! But the means and ends are oh so different. The way to achieve the Good Life is only through a genuine relationship with God.
There is no genuine success unless we fear and trust God. In humility, we learn that God hates evil. And guess what is top of God’s evil list? Pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverse speech (Proverbs 8:13). Evil conduct flows from those characteristics found in chasing worldly definitions of success, security, and significance. Rather than a mindset of reverence and humble receptivity to God, we look for power, control, and selfish gain at the expense of others. Reject the empty promises of the devil and follow Jesus.
Love God! He has more than enough riches and honor and knowledge, and insight to give his children. He gives beyond our wildest dreams. Our reward is in our walking with Jesus. In everything. God and His will are our priority.
Each of us is unique. God has uniquely gifted you as a leader. We have to look for ways to help others with the gifts God has given us. Don’t hold back. Don’t ignore that opportunity and prompt today to say something nice and kind. And help and show a good example.
Lord Jesus, with You we have the Good Life. Please clothe us today with Your grace, mercy, humility, gentleness, and patience. Help us to forgive and not be easily offended. And help us to use our giftings to help others. As we sing praise to You in church today, may our hearts be filled with thanks. Amen.
Our fourth grandson, Beckett. He's almost 14 months now.
Comments