Boy oh boy! This book has really challenged me! Chapter 5 and 6 hit me right in the gut. I have been constantly thinking about these chapters this week as I have not only been looking at my role in church leadership but even in my work through the school district as a leader. I'm realizing the impact that my family and my own journey inward has on the way that I lead.
In looking at my own journey of faith and road to leadership I have certainly struggled with the journey inward and really 'peeling the scales" off of my own life (page 76), I am struck with how we often will tell Jesus, "I got it, I got it, I see I need to peel a layer off and then I am good to go" when really it is so much deeper than that, we are not able to go deep and get to the root of the scales like Jesus can. That requires so much time and trust and in this busy world where expectations are high, there is "no time" for that. BUT once we get to that root place and allow the scales to be peeled to the point where they cannot grow back with only Jesus who can do it, where we are able to experience who Jesus has made us to be and it is an incredible place to be, I love on page 78, "In the same way, a deep awareness of what we are feeling and doing gives us the courage to begin doing life differently (and hopefully more in line with God's will) and developing new, healthier relational patterns". That deep awareness and peeling of the scales of lies that have covered my heart and my life allow a freedom that is unbelievable. To experience that freedom in leadership is unbeatable, there is rest in that leadership not fear, there is confidence not questions, there is joy in the struggle not frustration, there is growth and not wilting. I also appreciated the connection of our family to our leadership style, in recent years I have really begun to examine my family and my role in my family and how that plays into my life through work, marriage, parenting and friendships. This is huge! How I interact, view and lead can be linked directly back to my family, this is something that is often not given merit and has been really interesting for me to look at in relation to my faith and journey. This is something that as he mentioned needs to be revisited often as it may pop up in different ways in different leadership moments. The influence of a family is powerful!
These 2 chapters were great to pair together because as we are looking beneath the surface we have to look at the patterns that have formed in the past, as I believe so many of those patterns from the past are what is sitting beneath the surface and until we can grip those I am going to struggle as a leader.
I am eager to continue to move through this book, this quote although simple and not new, hit me in a refreshing way this week, " The gospel says you are more sinful and flawed that you ever dared to believe, yet you are more accepted and loved that you ever dared hope because Jesus lived and died in your place, " Page 83.
Praise the Lord!
Hi Steph, I too felt the "there is "no time" for that" tension that you expressed in your post. I appreciate the wisdom and perspective you provide because I am tempted from time to time to dismiss the spirit's probing with "AINT NOBODY GOT TIME FOR THAT!" Thanks for the perspective Steph!
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