Lead by SURRENDER

"And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27)

One of the most powerful truths any leader can learn is also one of the most difficult to master:

“YOU don’t have all the answers, YOU can’t pull it off!

The classical, Type A leader believes they have to be all things to all people, overcome all obstacles, leap tall buildings in a single bound, and GET IT DONE! Some people are more successful at living that charade than others. However, no single human being can accomplish as much as a servant leader effectively serving/leading a team of individuals. The servant leader has moved away from manipulation by charisma and intimidation, and gives himself to the growth and development of the team members. As THEY grow and develop, the team becomes more effective.

The key isn’t a hard forehead – the secret to success is ABSOLUTE SURRENDER to God’s will. We get there by admitting we cannot accomplish our life purpose on our own. No matter how talented we are, we’ll all get to the brick wall at the end of human will. When we reach the wall, remember it’s a good place! At the wall we don’t have any “Plan B.” We’re out of options and that’s EXACTLY where God wants us – He’s brought us to that point because He wants us to learn to SURRENDER & ask God to pull off all that we can’t.

Before we ask God to FILL us, let’s ask Him to help us empty ourselves of the desire to run our life on our own. Once we’re emptied, He can fill us and accomplish amazing things through us!

The whole "tongue" thing

Here's a scripture I recently referenced from Proverbs 25:18 (Living Bible):
"Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an axe, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow."

In my Life Application Bible, here's the note that's attached to this verse:

"Lying is vicious. Its effects can be as permanent as those of a stab wound. The next time you are tempted to pass on a bit of gossip, imagine yourself striking the victim of your remarks with an axe. This image may shock you into silence."

For more background, jump over to James 3 in the New Testament. In this chapter, the power of the tongue is compared to a "small" rudder on a huge ship. Such a small member of our body (our tongue) has the capability of "turning" our entire life! How many people with huge talents and passionate hearts have been disqualified from walking out their life purposes because they never learned to tame the tongue?

Also, James compares the tongue and the damage it can do to a roaring firestorm. A fire needs oxygen and fuel. Gossip needs somebody to supply their tongue, someone else to provide their ears, and it REALLY gets going when others toss dry kindling into the situation and fan the flames into full force. Once gossip gets going, it has the potential to suck the oxygen it needs from those close and can leave behind damage that lasts for generations.