Solid Foundations

Our immediate desire as leaders may be to develop our leadership capacity, but before we do so we need to examine the foundations upon which our lives are built. If this is not done, then there is a danger that we can build leadership principles on wrong foundations. This will mean that our leadership will have wrong motivations and hidden agendas, which will surface in the way that we process decisions and treat those we lead. Our leadership can include manipulating people, instead of influencing them through a positive example. We may tend to use people for our own ends, rather than releasing them into the plans and purposes that God has for their lives. We may see many positive things achieved, but in the process of achieving those goals we can leave behind a trail of damaged lives.

On the other hand, if we are committed to following Jesus' example and our driving ambition is to fulfil the Father's will, we should not expect an easy life. God's principles and priorities in our lives will ultimately bring us into conflict with the principles of this world, and the expectations of others. We will be under pressure to take the easy road, to take shortcuts, and to avoid making decisions that have God's long-term perspective. Urgent demands will be brought to us and we will be tempted to deflect from what is truly important: doing the Father's will. We will need to face the misunderstanding and criticism of individuals who see us investing in areas that are of low value in their sight. We will be challenged to leave areas that others feel are vital, and to be prepared to face their disapproval. A life built upon God's priorities is not an easy one, but it is one that will meet His eternal approval.

"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work." (1 Corinthians 3:10-13)