The concept and
realities of leadership are the most pressing topics of conversation between me
and the Lord these days. I guess it’s a
tad bit over due. I received an email from Seth graciously investing interest in helping me in this area. The offer came attached with a list of books
on the matter. While Googling excerpts
from a few of the books, as well as some notes from Seth himself, I became
highly aware of how far behind in the process of awareness I truly am.
Leadership has
always been something thrown around in prayer or praise. From a young age I can remember people saying
to me, “you’re a leader.” With
out any further instruction I took that seed and rather than applying
appropriate pressure, I sought to showcase it.
My little seed of leadership, in a glass case with back lighting. Little did I know
the appropriate pressure would eventually arrive. As informed as I shall pursue to become
through the medium of books, lecture and discipleship, this season of my life on The World Race is the initiation into this gift. I suppose it’s the
same concept as information versus application.
One with out the other results in poor results usually leaving others,
as well as yourself wounded and in position to wound again.
I mention all of
this only because as I am now neck deep into this journey of the world race a
couple of things are becoming clear. I
had no idea what in the world I was getting myself into and I had no clue how
helpless and ineffective we are when we operate apart from Christ.
For those who may
see The World Race as just another missions trip, I would have to
disagree. It’s a classroom where the
gifts God gives people and the realities of how those gifts were intended to
shape and shake the world come together, completely changing a life, spanning
the globe through relationship after relationship.
I’m not saying this
can’t be understood or even achieved through other means, but when you are face
to face with the truths of this world, whether it be holding the hand of a
dying mother in Swaziland, or walking through the killing fields of Cambodia, the
process within is accelerated. The
purpose of all of this, the reason for
the gifts we find with in each and everyone of us, is for the sole purpose of
bringing humanity and love to an inhumane and unloved world.
The gifts given to
us are not for personal gain or achievement or even a means to our own
fulfillment. The gifts God gives us are
his invitation for partnership. If you
are still in the books of it all, I suggest jumping out from beneath the
scholastic ceiling tiles for a bit and getting your cap and gown dirty in the
blood and dust of this world. You’ll be
amazed how far behind we all actually are.
