The Father's Will for Us

 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."' (Matthew 7:24-27)

As leaders, there will be many pressures and expectations brought to bear upon us. We must ensure that our lives are built upon a solid foundation: that our decision-making and motivations are founded on a consuming desire to do the Father's will. Not a desire for recognition. Not a desire for success and fame. Not a desire for security and comfort. Not a desire to be valued and accepted by others. Not any other standard or value. Any other motivation will be like building our life on sand.

The Father's desire for us is the same as the Father's desire for Jesus: to live a life of dependence on, and relationship with Him. Our deepest desire should be to follow the example of Jesus and to live a life of full obedience to the Father's will. A life committed to fulfilling His purposes, His way. A life dedicated to becoming all that He desires us to be. In essence, we need to live with a constant sense of accountability to God. This foundation is important for every Christian, but it is a vital foundation for every leader.

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." (Philippians 3:7-9)