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Staying faithful to the vision www.biblicalleadership.com |By Jenni Catron — Jenni Catron is a writer, speaker, and leadership coach who consults churches and non-profits to help them lead from their extraordinary best. As Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, she consults with individuals and teams on leadership and organizational health. Eugene Peterson called it “a long obedience in the same direction.” Thomas Edison referred to it as “stick-to-itiveness.” The Bible includes the term “long-suffering.” We could call it perseverance, determination, gumption, faithfulness.
well. And you can’t lead yourself well if you don’t know yourself. Self awareness leads us to acknowledge and accept both our strengths and our weaknesses, our gifts and our limitations. When we humbly know what we have to offer, we can offer it freely and confidently. When we humbly know our limitations, The ability of a leader to achieve longevity in their field has we know what we need to let go of, trust God with, and invite always intrigued me. Not long ago, I listened to an interview others into.
between Andy Stanley and his father, Dr. Charles Stanley, who recently transitioned to the role of Pastor Emeritus af- Ask yourself: ter serving as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Atlanta for over 50 years. Dr. Stanley referred to his approach to living What makes me feel most alive? What is one thing I need to let go of or stop doing? out the vision he feels called to as this: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
3. Health of rhythms
When I teach and coach leaders, the way I communicate this You can’t be faithful to steward your life well if you’re not idea is “Our job is faithfulness. God’s job is outcomes.” Here caring for yourself. And you can’t give your best efforts when you’re depleted or drained. The rhythms you estabare three keys to staying faithful: lish for yourself allow you to remain disciplined and rested. Be it prayer, reading, exercise, rest, hobbies, community … 1. Clarity of vision including healthy rhythms in your days, weeks, and months You can’t be faithful to a vision you don’t deeply, personally is what will allow your years to build steadily toward faithalign with. You can’t have integrity if the purpose of your fulness. work does not match the purpose of your life. That is not to say your career is your purpose. We must not be tempted to Ask yourself: conflate the two and risk losing our identity in busyness and achievement. However, when your personal vision is clear, What helps me feel replenished or refreshed? what you should say “yes” to becomes clear as well. You gain insight into what work is worth the best hours of your day. What discipline do I want to develop? Your work becomes an extension and expression of the callTo set a goal of faithfulness is admirable. But knowing the ing God has placed on your life. scaffolding that will support such a goal is wisdom. Our hope for you in this season is that you would make space Ask yourself: and time to reflect on your personal vision, to pursue self awareness, and to establish healthy rhythms that will lay a What matters most to me? When I look back on my life, what do I hope to be remem- foundation for faithfulness and openness to trust God with the outcomes. bered for?
2. Knowledge of self 8
You can’t be faithful to your calling if you’re not leading yourself
This article was first published on get4sight.com.
TT 139 | FEB 8th- 14th| 2022
