You are called to lead...
Have you ever wondered how other people see you? Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself, "I didn't see that there before?" Most of us have had this experience at some point in our lives. Those who don't pay attention to themselves often lack the ability to pay attention to others.
In this chapter we are going to continue to discuss self-control, self-discipline and why these two characteristics are important for those who are determined to be leaders.
Please remember that you do not have to be a leader in church, work, school or anywhere else for these lessons to benefit you. These lessons are simply to guide you into a place where you are able to lead effectively and productively in every area of your life.
Over the last 20 years, I have been asked, on numerous occasions, what exactly does it take to be in leadership? My usual reply is that one "must commit and submit." I am of the opinion that these are the most important factors in differentiating between truly leading and just going for a walk.
On a more personal note, I will say that most of the leaders working under my ministry were people whom I saw already accomplishing the tasks, before they were officially part of leadership.
I recently had someone ask for an opportunity for some responsibility, to which I agreed. I gave specific instruction as to what needed to occur, and found that within 48 hours that person had been unable to meet the responsibility given them. My guess is that there was a lack of self-discipline at play which led to the specific need being unmet. Although I've been faced with this circumstance time and again, I often try to look beyond what has happened in the past because I recognize that we all have made mistakes. However, our past experiences are vitally important factors in our ability to lead in the future.
- Is the person who asked for responsibility a nice person? - Yes!
- Is this person saved? - Yes!
- Is this person trustworthy? - Yes!
- Is this person dependable? - No!
Many times we are unable to be dependable and effective due to a lack of self-discipline or self-control.
In our first lesson we read Genesis 1:26-31. Let us return to verse 26 and reread this passage and receive it in a new, enlightened way!
Verse 26: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
The meaning of the word "rule" is to take dominion over; to reign over it, and not have it reign over or have dominion over you.
Just as there is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, You must agree that we exist in three parts: Spirit, Soul, and Body. Your spirit was created by God long before you ever had a body. And, your soul is your mind (the realm of decisions) and your body is flesh.
Keep in mind the substance of which your body is made! Dirt! Earth!
Let's go one step further. Consider the fact that I've been dealing with health issues recently, nothing major, just allergy and sinus problems like most other Oklahomans.
Yesterday I went to my chiropractor for an adjustment as that usually helps clear things up. My chiropractor happens to be a Christian and so we usually have pretty good conversations during my visits.
As he worked on my neck and shoulders he stated "I'm not sure I've ever seen someone this tense and worked up. My dear Pastor, you need to do something about this flesh you are renting." It was at that moment that a lightening bolt seemed to strike, "my flesh" I thought, "my flesh is made of the Earth." (From dust we are created and to dust we return).
When in need of a manifestation of healing, we often refer to Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24, however, we don't often use the above passage from Genesis, although we should!
And, we should use it for this reason: that scripture states that I was created in His likeness and I have been given authority to rule over the earth! I am part of the earth! My flesh is made from this earth! If I am going to lead and lead effectively, I must first be able to rule over what I've been given dominion over, so I must first rule over my flesh and my own mind.
We also focused on the fact that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind (self-control).
Get ready, beloved, this is where we get deeper!
Now we have example of two areas to focus on in order to be the leaders whom God has called us to be. The first area is the flesh; and, we must take authority over the flesh, and with that authority we must rule over it completely. The second area is our mind, our soulish realm! We must operate in the mind of Christ as we are hidden in Him and we can do all things through Him who gives us strength!
In the coming lessons we are going to learn how to get our spirits in alignment with the Spirit of God; and then, we'll focus on getting our flesh aligned with our spirit and the Spirit of God!
The first lesson brought a significantly wide variety of responses that people shared as problem areas with self-discipline. No matter how varied the responses, they all had one thing in common in that they were all areas of the flesh.
I admit, I am tickled when someone shares with me that I can't "possibly understand how hard life can be and how much they have on their plate." I laugh on the inside (most of the time) whenever this happens. You see, I have the same problem. There are days when I don't feel like working, talking or doing any number of things that I know I need to do. However, the difference is that I have made my flesh submit to my spirit which is in alignment with the Spirit of God, which allows me, in turn, to accomplish my daily tasks and long-term goals without regard to what I may or may not feel like doing.
Financial difficulty is many times brought on by a lack of control over the flesh. Either the person doesn't want to work the hours it requires to pay the bills, or the person lacks control when the paycheck actually arrives. For some people it takes one trip to eat out, then one trip to Wal-Mart and many times 1/3 of the check is completely gone.
When we experience physical difficulty or discomfort it is often of the same source of lacking self-discipline or self-control. We get sick because we do not make our flesh exercise, or we eat the things we know are harmful to us, or we don't take our medication as we should, or we do not rest as we should. All of which lead to the same damaging results of pain or illness, even though we have been given authority over sickness, disease and every unclean thing.
Now, I'm feeling like I'm going onto another subject since I have managed to preach myself under the desk.
Do you see where I'm coming from? Do you see that there are significant changes that need to be made if we are going to lead properly and live productive and healthy lives?
My question to you is this: Do you want to get better? Are you willing to do what it takes to get there? If your answer is yes, then hang on because this is going to be a bumpy ride, but I assure you, beloved, it will be well worth it!