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Leadership

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"Leadership is the joyful acceptance of responsibility at a given moment."  

Leadership is such a big word!  For a passive person, it can also be a bit scary. It takes a special personality to go forward with confidence, clarity, vision and share it with others, involving them and plowing the path ahead of them. That's not me!

But, leadership is also about influence. Each of us has someone they influence, but to make an impact, we must love people before we try to lead them. A quiet, passive soul feels more comfortable getting to know others and simply listening to them. 

Joyful Acceptance: Although I live and  love the word 'joyful', it certainly doesn’t mean flippant or happily bouncing around aimlessly. Nor does it mean easy. Instead, joy is rooted in God’s providence.  Understanding we have an opportunity to influence others, and advancing on that while we trust God to be a good influence whether they be many or few, for the kingdom of God.

Responsibility: The word ” responsibility” indicates stewardship, something that has been entrusted to us. We don't have to look far to find some responsibility!  Our homes, family, work places, friends, co-workers - are daily areas where we can be an influencer or leader. Often times our daily manner of life is an influence. But it is during times of trials, crisis, decisions when leadership kicks in and the ability to make a powerful impact presents itself. For the Christian leader, it is automatic where we go to find our own help: 

Psalms 121:1-2
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

Leadership is about joyful acceptance. It’s about embracing responsibility. It’s about understanding our role as stewards and being content with where He has placed us. And if that’s true, leadership is about making the most of what we’ve been given and where we are as His vessels. 


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