Learning to Lead

The name of the ACU summer camp that our children first went to was called, "Learning to Lead." That's something I'm doing throughout my lifetime -- learning to lead as Jesus leads me.

This morning I couldn't help but think of leadership and integrity after meditating on 1 Samuel 12:3-4:

"I stand here, an old, gray-haired man. I have served as your leader since I was a boy. Now tell me as I stand before the Lord and before his anointed one—whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong."
"No," they replied, "you have never cheated or oppressed us in any way, and you have never taken even a single bribe."

As I ran errands yesterday afternoon, working with printers and paper companies as I prepared for our newsletter mailing, I used our ministry's debit card. It's so handy. And it's fun spending someone else's money! However, it's also a great responsibility. This is the Lord's money I'm managing (as is our personal money). Many people have given sacrificially to this ministry and I'm charged with being a steward over these funds.

Lord, please help me spend it wisely. When I get the age of Samuel, I want to be able to stand before others, and eventually before You, and declare that I have not robbed others of money. That I have been a good steward of Your funds.

Then I think of a leader and his management of time. My hours are a bit more flexible than many others. At times I travel for this ministry. Or go off site to study, pray and write. There's always the temptation to steal time from my employer -- to do some personal things while
"on the clock." Now I realize that occasionally personal things come up -- e-mails or phone calls to my wife, helping our kids in their college issues, or making a pastoral phone call as an elder. Yet I don't want to abuse this privilege of being entrusted to manage my "own" time.

Father, forgive me when I've been a time stealer and please help me to stay focused on my work while at work.

When you think about it, we're leaders in many ways -- as a parent, a teacher, a leaders in our small group. May we lead in the power of the Holy Spirit, following Jesus as our Leader, continually growing as a leader and always being mindful that others are watching. I pray that they will see in us integrity. That they will see Jesus.

Still learning to lead,

Jim