I remember the first “Leadership Conference” that I attended. I sat in a packed Marriott ballroom and listened to a young John Maxwell. At that time, I was a Children’s Pastor, and John Maxwell was still the Pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in Southern California.
I filled in blanks, took notes, bought books, enrolled in the tape of the month, and fell in love with the concept of leadership. I was captivated by the concept that we could all learn to lead, and lead well.
Now, twenty-nine years later, I look back on what I thought was leadership as busy work.
I found myself busy at playing the part of a leader. You know the drill; where the right clothes, quote the right people, step over or onto whoever you have to in an attempt to get where you want to go. Get on the speaker’s tour, move up the ministry ladder and “be somebody.”
I now find myself in uncharted waters. I have found many of the quips, quotes and buzzwords of leadership tedious, and often foolish. The one line that I have clung to is from Dr. Henry Blackaby, one of the finest men that I’ve ever known. Henry said that “leadership was bringing people on a journey from where they are, to where GOD wants them to be.” Pretty good, huh?
As good as that quote is, here is one that is far better
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
The heart is in order when we seek to serve, not to be served.
The heart is in order when we celebrate others in their success.
The heart is in order when we recognize that everything good comes from on high.
The heart is in order when we do not need credit, and still serve more.
The heart is in order when we respect and value image bearers of the Most High God.
I say it in some way every Sunday, as I believe it to be the key to a journey filled with the power and presence of The Divine; All of life is a matter of the heart. Pick any issue and it’s always a matter of the heart.
Today, guard your heart.
—Chuck
