To be CHRIST-LIKE Examples: THE LIFE OF LEADERS ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION INTRODUCTION The ability to critically and holistically hone in on prospective issues is necessary for successful leaders to prosper and increase in skills and abilities in order to overcome any obstacles that may present themselves along the path of maturation. Foremost, “[w]hen the characteristics of leaders are enumerated, love is not usually included. Yet this quality is essential.” Therefore, emulating the character of holiness is the priority “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8, ESV). Therefore as a response to act in love, purposeful strategic planning and enhancing personal leadership abilities is essential in order to effectively communicate, influence and motivate effective teams that help initiate a leader’s legacy. Additionally, awareness of personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats will initiate a progressive and objective ongoing process of living by Christ’s example. PRIORITIES AND BALANCE OF LEADERSHIP AND CALLING The relationship between priorities and balancing life as a leader is the anticipation of knowing God provides for all our needs according to His riches and glory. Philippians 4:5-6 states, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (ESV). Additionally, learning how to grow and developing life-long disciplines that promote necessary positive and affirmative change that drives sound faith-based success is a catalyst for increasing in holiness. Likewise, being sensitive to the needs of others is a pertinent quality and gaining a keen sense of knowing what the immediate needs are that must be addressed helps create healthy boundaries. Richard A Swenson M.D. states, “Boundaries are establishing a perimeter around the personal private spaces of our lives and not letting the world come crashing in uninvited. This is not an issue of selfishness but instead of self-care.” When implementing boundaries, the human mind, body (soul), and spirit are separate but one, just as the Triune Godhead is three beings, all unified and one God. The creation of man as individuals made in the image of God have separated parts for specific reason, but the individual must balance and prioritize and learn in order to grow, develop and function at high levels of efficiency. Man was given authority to rule with created responsibilities to take care of the other created things on the earth, in the air and in the sea (Genesis1:26-27). The body is a physical part of the human creation that will pass away, but the spirit, mind, will and emotions are the personality of the human creation that changes in character with maturation in Christ Jesus. The Scripture according to Paul urges the individual following Christ “. . . to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:1-2). Therefore, boundaries and exercises implemented to live an exemplary Christian lifestyle require tenacious efforts by walking in the presence of Christ and producing fruitfulness in action and behavior. The evidence of leadership is revealed in the leader’s ability to control his or her words whereby truth and faith is demonstrated or denied based on the alignment of words and actions. Scripture states, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). Obviously, life and successful endeavors mandate essential priorities and leaders need to balance a healthy relationship with God, family, work, prayer and study time, and alone time in order to practice and cultivate thriving and enduring love. The line between my spiritual calling is serving the Creator who adds to those who seek first the Kingdom of God above all else, and to live righteously, and he will give everything that is needed (Matthew 6:33). As a result, the first and foremost activity that a leader must master is being with the Master Himself. The intentional quest for a deeper revelation of God’s infallible Word and relationship with the Creator is a worthy pursuit of His righteousness. The LORD God through the inner-working of the Holy Spirit gives wise counsel and nourishment from God’s Word (1 Timothy 4:6) and is the basics of building a solid foundation of faith, calling and prioritizing by enhancing faith in action. Also remembering, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6). The love of Christ in the pursuit on the righteous path that is set forth by the LORD God Himself is then present for the love of caring and maintaining the needs of family life. The pursuit of holiness is extended to those who come in contact with the spirit-filled leader and thus become an extension of that love. Dr. Henry Cloud says, You get what you create and what you allow. There is a lot you can do to create a place where people love to work—and where you do too. You can choose the kind of place you want to build. You can take charge and lead if you: Help people attend to what is important, inhibit what is not important or toxic, and remember what they are doing. Create an emotional environment that is free of the wrong kinds of stress. Build teams that are deeply connected. Help people think optimistically and root out pessimism. Help people to get in control of what they can control. Build great teams that are high performance. Do all of these things, and you will have science on your side. More important, you will have people on your side, people who want to work for and with a leader who engenders an environment that attends to our strongest human desires: to connect, create and grow. Establishing good boundaries and a code of ethics will create a healthier atmosphere in the home, workplace and on a holistic level that enables the leader to operate in love by preventing overworking or denying quality time with each facet of the individual’s life and inhibit potential sin. The Word says, “The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them” (Proverbs 20:7, NLT). S.W.O.T ANALYSIS A Christian leader must focus on strategic planning in order to overcome spiritual warfare that impedes on every aspect of the Christians daily life. Taking counsel from the Holy Spirit is imperative for accurate insight and future success. God’s grace is sufficient for today, conversely, “. . . with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory” (Proverbs 24:6, God’s Word). Gaining insight and strength from good counsel and especially from the LORD (Proverbs 16:1) is the basic core competencies that promote human potential to overcome weaknesses and precede the rising opportunities that minimize the potential threats.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Apr 2014 22:49:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015