Author: admin

The harsh reality of life is that nothing remains the same. Everything is deteriorating. You might have built your dream house using the finest of materials. You may have refused to cut any corners. Nevertheless, it does not take long before the building begins to show signs of wear and tear. Our bodies might be in the peak of physical fitness today, but if neglected, will soon show signs of neglect. Organizations may have been humming along like a well-oiled machine. Yet if untended, will inevitably have problems arise. Nothing stays the same. Everything is deteriorating.

While this truth may be disconcerting, it ought not discourage true leaders. For they understand that this truth provides a compelling justification for the leader’s role. We need leaders who are continually addressing problems that arise. Wise leaders do not allow their organizations to deteriorate or to grow out of date. They address small leaks before they become major cracks.

But woe to those who suffer under lazy leaders! Issues that could have been quickly addressed are allowed to grow and fester. Problems that might have been quickly resolved, grow to gargantuan proportions due to the lazy leader’s neglect. No one ever feels like fixing a leak in the ceiling. But true leaders aren’t driven by their feelings. They are motivated by their calling.

Good leadership is a blessing to people. When a nation or company or church or family is led well, everyone benefits.

Unfortunately there are people who hold leadership positions but who do not rise to the level of their office. Leadership is for mature people! It is for people who act responsibly and who handle situations as mature adults. It is not for those with thin skins and uncontrolled egos. It is not intended for those who allow their emotions to override their judgment.

Likewise, leadership positions are for those who do the right thing, at the right time. Some people abuse their positions. They indulge in the benefits without fully embracing the responsibilities. They “feast” in the mornings when they should be planning and working. When the time is ripe to be productive, they squander their days in meeting their own needs, rather than the needs of their organization or people. How tragic to be led by self-indulgent people!

If you are leading, there are times when it is appropriate to care for yourself and your personal needs. But there are other times when you must be found at your post, doing what only you, as the leader, can do.

A person’s wisdom is made evident by what they say. Some people remove all doubt of their foolishness the more they speak. While a fool may try to vociferously prove he is wise, his words inevitably demonstrate the opposite.

Wise people use their words to dispense grace to others. When you hear a wise person speak, you are encouraged and lifted up. When you hear from a fool, you are brought lower. Wise people make the people around them better. People like to be around them because it inspires them. Not so the fool.

A fool’s words ultimately lead to their ruin. They eventually offend enough people that in time, they are undone. People no longer take them seriously nor do they want to hear what they have to say. While their words might have seemed entertaining at first, people ultimately grow tired of foolish talk.

Examine your words. Are they gracious? Do they make people better? Or do your conversations need to be upgraded?

There are some things you never let out of your sight. A snake is one. A snake is not likely to hurt you if you have it under your control. But the moment it is free, you are in danger.

Likewise, a person who loves to babble is a loose canon. His words may sound innocuous enough in the beginning, but at the most unlikely moment, he might utter words that bring you and others much harm. Words can be far more venomous than a snake’s bite. For words can penetrate to the depths of our soul. Be careful in entering discussions with those who are careless and voluminous with their words. For the discussion can turn dangerous at a moment you least expect.

Likewise, be cautious with your own words. You may not have intended to hurt someone else, but with many words, harm is inevitable.

We are generally in too great of a hurry! We can neglect crucial details in our effort to get our work done. Sharpening our ax should not be postponed to a more convenient time. You might still be able to work with a dull instrument, but your labor will become increasingly difficult and time-consuming.

How do you “sharpen your ax?” By taking care of yourself. By getting proper rest. By maintaining a healthy diet and schedule. By learning and growing personally and professionally. While this can sometimes seem to be a luxury for those who face demands on their time, it will pay large dividends over time.

Many a person has set out with their work in a flurry of activity. But, over time,they slowed their pace and eventually quit in exhausted discouragement. They swung their ax mightily at the outset but could barely lift it by the end. If you want to still be swinging your ax powerfully years from now, don’t neglect to sharpen it today.

It has been said that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. This is true. The manner in which we treat others will also be used against us.

Those who dig a pit to entrap others will inevitably fall into a pit themselves. Those who attempt to use surprise against someone else will eventually encounter a rude awakening themselves. This might not happen immediately. But it will occur in due time.

How much better to be someone who always deals with people with honesty and grace! You are blessed when you bless those around you and treat them righteously. Not only can you generally expect to receive better treatment in return, but you also have the intense satisfaction in knowing that you are treating others as Christ would.

Fools have a wide variety of means at their disposal to appear wise. But inevitably they expose their true colors.

At times people try and conceal their lack of discernment with a flurry of activity. They give the appearance of “going places.” They seem in a hurry and project the appearance of making progress. But eventually such imposters expose themselves. They lead their organization down the wrong path. They commence a flurry of activity that has no purpose. They are all sound and bluster without substance.

Just because someone appears to be making progress does not mean they are wise. Time will tell. Watch them closely and if indeed they are a fool, it will become evident soon enough.

Small things can be our undoing. We know to take big things seriously. They often consume most of our thoughts and efforts. The world applauds large accomplishments. But often it is the small details that derail our large plans.

Flies are small. They are also a nuisance. It may seem easier to ignore them and hope they go away. But once they find their way into our work, they can ruin our efforts.

When we get busy, we can be tempted to assume that we do not have time to address the small details. They can be left to take care of themselves. But those same seemingly unimportant matters can come back to haunt us. Be careful you do not begin to treat seemingly “small” matters as unimportant. They may appear small now, but they may be crucial to your success.

Sadly, it does not take many sinful people to destroy much good accomplished by the righteous. One negative attitude on a team, one executive lacking integrity, or one ambitious colleague, and the noble work of many can be undone.

Wise leaders refuse to allow the minority to thwart the good of the majority. While ninety-nine people may humbly seek God’s will on a matter, one carnal person can loudly demand that he get his way. Sadly, at times those who are righteous will concede to the one who is not, seemingly so they can “keep the peace.”

The danger is that it only takes one sinful person to derail a good work. There is too much at stake to allow sinful people to short-circuit the work of God. When you see someone who is behaving carnally, address it as soon as it is appropriate. Sin, left unchecked in the camp, can bring untold heartache.

Chairman Mao claimed that, “power comes from the end of a gun.” He used such power ruthlessly. Most dictators and bullies rely upon force of some kind to get what they want. Weapons come in many shapes and sizes. Sometimes they are fashioned into angry, threatening words. Other times they comes from a pen, or from a position in the organizational chart. It can be tempting to grasp hold of any tool that brings us influence over others.

Over the generations, mankind has developed larger and more deadly weapons. Nevertheless, divine wisdom is still greater than any instrument of war yet devised. Wisdom has often brought powerful enemies to their knees. Our problem is that it can often seem easier, and less time consuming, to pull out a weapon than to develop wisdom. There are no shortcuts to wisdom, but there are any numerous weapons dealers readily available to provide you more guns.

Consider the way you handle problems. Is your first response to go to your leadership “gun rack?” Or do you call upon God to grant you the necessary wisdom?