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How often we build our lives on false hopes, false foundations, and the lure of worldly success. We seek to build our resumes on false visions of accomplishments-like sales metrics, nice facilities, excellent programs, how well things are executed-while neglecting the preeminence of Christ in our lives both at home and work. Our hearts are inclined to supplant Jesus and replace Him with our own designs and expectations. We live in a society that is attracted to “glitter.” We like spectacle, and more often than not creates consumers and spectators when what our society needs are activists and creators. I know what you are thinking, “Flashy sells.” The problem is leaders and influencers are competing with today’s latest trend and this creates distraction and passivity.  Activists and creators have helped shape the future with revolutionary ideas, advocacy for others, and are framers of nations, inventors, teachers, lawyers, doctors. They can be represented in every industry. Leadership is not limited to one profession but can be found all over the world in homes, community groups, churches, or anywhere else there is a person present.

Leadership is a calling, yes. But it also requires a response. God has uniquely created and chose people to bear the title “leader.” Each day we get to choose if we are going to lead or be led by others. Whenever we interact with someone else, influence is exchanged. Sometimes the influence is good and other times we want to stay as far away as possible because the influence is so negative. God gave us the ability to solve problems, be creative and do so with others in mind. The problem is that we still suffer from the curse of the Fall of Man found in Genesis. We make work our idol and do everything we can to find fulfillment in being successful with profits and having a good name. Rather than profits being a byproduct of good work it has become one of the main objectives. The Bible tells us the opposite, our primary motive at work is to bring honor and glory to God and serve others. Christians should not allow bad work to hinder the effectiveness of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our work matters to God. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord not for man (Col. 3:23)” Satan’s goal is that we as Christians forget that we are not alone. We have been bought with a price; we are a new creation in Christ and in that new life we are characterized by God’s workmanship and charged to do good works. We should let our good works in the workplace be a testimony of God’s goodness in our lives. We should not allow our preferences to get in the way of how we work toward achieving God’s mission to reach people.

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We can “do” all we want, but we can never “do” enough. There is always going to be someone else that is better than you in your role. You are not able to stay on top forever. We live in a society that experiences trend after trend. Our leadership needs to reflect the example of leadership that Jesus Christ displayed on the cross which transcends trend and technique.

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God, Himself is a builder and creator. He created the world to have abundance and for the man to be responsible for cultivating, growing and creating things to make the world flourish.  Our bodies require rest and leaders tend to forget that more than most. We often think if we spend an extra half-hour here or hour there we are going to make our lives easier. In some cases that may be true, but at what expense? Are you sacrificing communion with God and community with family and friends? If so, priorities might need to be revisited. I have been there and experienced just that. It was painful. My relationship with Christ, my wife, family, friends all suffered because I did keep my priorities in the correct order. It took six months to a year before the curse of priority shift was completely reversed. That was nearly 10 years ago and I still have that urge trying to draw me back.

We are filled with imperfection and sometimes make the wrong choice, however, we are called to avoid pride and seek humility to live out our faith to others. When we remember that everyone is created in God’s image our attitude toward them should change. We need to show grace to the believers and non-believers because that is what Christ does for us.

Our hearts are forgetful and need to hear over and over again that Christ is our all. He is the one foundation. Let us not forget that we are chosen leaders called by grace and placed in our spheres of influence. He moves through us by His Spirit and speaks to us through His Word. God is using leaders across the world to accomplish His mission. We must be activists in our churches, communities, and workplaces. We must learn to not place our agenda over God’s agenda in fulfilling His mission to make disciples. Everything will be accomplished in due time. Live to fight another day. You may lose some battles, but the war has already been won. Rejoice in the victories, because they are a small taste of the victory that will be experienced for eternity.