Leading And Haste

June 2008

“… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us …” Hebrews 12:1

My appreciation for the person who penned those words has grown as I have lived out the life God planned for me. Many have said that life is a race to be won by the swift. However, Hebrews 12:1 speaks of a race of endurance.

Many people who desire to lead seem to be controlled by an insatiable quest for speed.  They usually talk fast, are used to seeing their directions accomplished immediately, and feel driven to “cross the finish line” first.  Most realize that they can collect more accolades alone than expending their efforts to bring others along.  But to lead means that we must move at a pace that allows time to connect, engage, and bring along those led.

If you have children, undoubtedly you understand this. The next time you need to get something done, try doing it two ways. First, have your kids help you. That means you have to enlist them, direct them, supervise them, and sometimes redirect their efforts. In fact, we might find ourselves “recapturing and reenlisting” them when they lose interest and wander off. All this effort can be pretty exhausting, and even when the work is completed, it may not be to the standard you expect.

Next, try to do the task alone. How much faster can you go? How much better is the quality of the work? How much less aggravation do you deal with?

No doubt, working alone is faster, particularly in the beginning, but it doesn’t produce a living return for effort expended. If you want children to learn, grow, and reach their potential, you must pay the price in time and trouble and lead them through the process of discovery and learning. It is same with those that we share the church with.

Leaders aren’t necessarily the first to cross the finish line – people who run alone are usually the fastest. Leaders are the first to bring all their people across the finish line. The payoff to leadership at work or church comes from leading people across the finish line.

Don’t allow the frustrations of leadership to take you from the ministry physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Accept your charge to lead, and then lead from the heart, lovingly, faithfully, and completely. Let your passion be seen in your love for those you lead. To bring your flock across the finish line is success.

Recommended Reading: Leonard Sweet’s “11 indispensable relationships you can’t be without”, published by David C. Cook. Available in most book stores and on line also.

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