Leadership - Be Truly Interested
God gives the Christian business leader an incredible advantage. That is, God provides us with an advocate and a counselor (John 14:15-31, Romans 5:5, Acts 15:8, 1 Corinthians 2:12, Luke 11:13, etc.). It’s God Himself. The Holy Spirit in us and given to us by the Father and the Son is our strong shield, our defense that we so desperately need, daily. And the Holy Spirit is our offensive weapon, like a reconnaissance regiment parachuted in to assess and prepare, God goes before us into battle.
God always does His part. But His way requires men of God to take responsibility. We don't sit back. We take the initiative. See something, jump up and do something. Like Joshua planning for the successful strategic attack on Ai (Joshua 7 & 8), we too first need to ask God, and then we need to plan and execute well (Joshua 8:3-29).
So yes, add this to your detailed due diligence checklist: consult with the Holy Spirit and ask for His thoughts and guidance before proceeding.
Determinists disagree with me, but we repeatedly see in Scripture God telling every man to humble himself (Proverbs 6:3, for example). The truth is, we all will bow to God; so we humble ourselves, or the Master will humble us. Let’s take the proactive advice of the Holy Spirit and be truly humble in thought and deed today.
On that note, God uses his institution of marriage as a humbling character builder for each of us. Through love in action, we grow. Men, in marriage, we humbly show our love for God and our love for our wives by how we serve her, provide, protect her, and as we live as God commands us to. Men, we are gifted by God to be spiritual leaders in our marriages. Step up. Stop with the excuses. Let’s live up to God’s expectations for us.
Our loving Shepherd is good. He cares and provides for our families. No matter what you are going through, take it to Jesus this morning. Consult Him indeed.
Two quick thoughts for a Wednesday. Not necessarily connected. First, think of what is unhelpful to your spiritual growth and leadership. You know very well what it is (attitude, procrastination, bad company/work environment, drunkenness, porn, wasting time on worldly pursuits, etc.). Stop doing it. The Bible tells us that only an utter fool destroys himself (Proverbs 9:32). So let’s stop doing foolish things. The stakes are too high not to follow God’s warnings. Do something else. Replace the unhelpful habits with prayer (the Lord’s Prayer at least two times per day) or other righteous things (reading Scripture, helping someone, reading or watching something good, etc.).
Second, value people. Really value all people. Stop treating people differently because of their so-called importance. A wise farmer once said, “To be interesting, be interested.” So many people we talk to ask no questions about others. They care only about themselves. Make that not be you. Be truly interested in other people. Not for selfish gain or to check a box, but because every person is valued beyond measure by God, the One who loves us.
You see, if we feel disrespected, imagine how God feels. Have you ever had someone look past you in a conversation or at a social function (or at church!)? They are looking for someone more important to visit with. It has sadly become part of the culture at many Christian workplaces.
Jesus' brother James described such conduct as evil. He put it like this, “My dear brothers, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?” (James 2:1-4). The answer is, “yes it does”!
I suspect that is what it is like, not just to be poor and to walk into many church environments, but to be disabled. Similarly, go into a nursing home and see how much value and interest our society has for the elderly. Wow, what humbling environments!
God loves all people, including the elderly! Let’s act as though all people are truly valuable. Stop looking past people in conversation to talk to the important guy. God’s love for us exceeds our understanding. He truly cares. God doesn’t look past us. God sits long hours with the old and the disabled. He sits at the side of the hospital bed. He’s truly interested in our point of view. He’s a great conversationalist. The best. He’s always asking probing questions, and listening, lovingly.
God does not hold back any good thing from His children out of spite, manipulation, or any malicious intent. God commands obedience. “Go, and sin no more!” (John 8:11). He wants our loyalty, our fidelity to His way of truth, and our love. For our good and for a genuine relationship and defining discipleship, God our Father will hold back as needed to build our character. Thank God. Thank God for His discipline. We are God’s children and His prized possession (James 1:18). Let’s act like it today and be truly interested in others.
Father God, help us to be obedient to You today and help us to see what You see in people. Amen.
Sam Bell is 30 today. Happy Birthday, Samuel!!
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