"Years ago I stopped worrying about how
to grow our church and instead focused on
growing me. As I grew me, our church grew."
-Rick Warren
"To develop others, start with yourself."
"True leadership comes mainly from within a person, not from outside."
Ultimately your leadership and usefulness in God's Kingdom comes from the person you spend the most time with...yourself.
Motivate Me, Myself, and I
Outward motivation will only take you so far. I am reminded of what David said when he saw Goliath. As everyone else cowered in fear, David proclaimed, "Is there not a cause?" That came from within. Someone who is self-motivated has a sense of God's calling on their life. They have an extraordinary purpose.
Encourage Me, Myself, and I
If you are depending on other people's praise to keep you encouraged, you will be sorely disappointed. Think you're having a bad day as a leader? Check out what David faced as a leader in I Samuel 30.
"And David was greatly distressed: for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons, and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God."
Learn to encourage yourself. Get alone with God and let Him fill you up.
Control Me, Myself, and I
"Training us to renounce ungodliness and wordly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age." -Titus 2:12
You must control your emotions...your sinful desires, your attitude, etc. You can't control someone saying something mean to you...but you can control your response. You can't control someone mistreating you....but you can control how you treat them. You can't stop someone from being rude to you...but you can control how you act toward them.
Grow Me, Myself, and I
You must walk with God for yourself...no one else can do it for you. God doesn't have any grandchildren...only children. Only you can determine your spiritual depth.
Discipline Me, Myself, and I
"All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize." -I Corinthians 9:25
No one will pick up the Bible and read it for you...it's up to you.
No one will study a leadership book for you...it's up to you.
No one will set the alarm for you to get up and go to work on time...it's up to you.
No one will exercise and eat right for you...it's up to you.
You want to know how to make yourself invaluable to the church or ministry you serve in? Be self motivated...self encouraged...self controlled...growing yourself...and disciplining yourself.
Be like Jeremiah...your leadership comes from a God-birthed fire that burns deep inside you. He said...
"But if I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in His name, His word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it! -Jeremiah 20:9
What are some things you do to lead yourself? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
