The Cost of Leadership - John Houston
A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord, but an accurate scale is His delight.
Proverbs 11:1 AMP
As I have experienced leadership, a couple of types stick out: those that lead from the front, expecting people to submit to them, and those that lead alongside, modeling, and being an example to their employees. As Christians, we are called to model and follow Christ as we aim to replicate His leadership. Sometimes that means we must surrender and make the most significantsacrifices. It’s incredible to see how God has grown our businesses. When we started, I had no idea that 17 years later, we would grow to sevencompanies. I didn’t get a paycheck for the first five years in business. I paid salespeople hundreds of thousands of dollars and didn’t make any. But if I had given up then, if I had sold the company, the businesses nor me personally would be where they are today. Spiritual renewal often begins with physical sacrifice.
Sacrifice for the sake of the God-ordained vision paves the way for spiritual renewal.
I've learned that so many times, the same area that God wants me to sacrifice (give up) is the very area that He wants to bless. When you take hold of the vision, you must let go of your treasure. For me, one area was my paycheck. It wasn’t about the paycheck but about me learning to give up control and trust God more, which was the true blessing. What could that be for you? Maybe it's control or time. Maybe your pride. While it's human nature to want to hold on to those things, we must submit them to the Lord and watch how things change. It may not be a financial change in your business, but it could be a change in your mindset or spirit. It could be in the gift of knowing Him deeper and different than before.
In my life, spiritual renewal often comes as we stay faithful to what God’s asked us to do. Hard times are some of the most internally fruitful because it changes our perspective of Christ. Ididn’t know Jesus as Healer until I needed healing. I didn't know Him as Provider until I was in a situation where we needed provision. These tough times force us to rely entirely on God and end up being transformative for our faith, lives, and leadership. These ordeals build trust in Jesus.
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4 AMP
We should be glad we get to walk through these days. It can be difficult at the moment, butremembering Jesus' promises and what He's done in the past can be a source of encouragement. When we stay faithful to the call that God has called us to and persevere through the hard times and the sacrifices, we will be fruitful and ultimately bring glory to His name.
Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 AMP