Here is something that I wrote a couple of weeks ago when Heather was facing a really rough bout of IBS. We are feeling much better now but below you will see what it taught me. ☺

What does a leader do when they are having a bad week? Do you hide it from your team? When they ask you if there is anything you need do you let them help you? How can you use the situation to better those you lead while still keeping the situation in check?

At this time I’ve just battled my way through the flu and Heather is fighting her way through a real nasty stomach bug. We are both tired and she is feeling very emotionally drained. She is 36 weeks pregnant and losing weight now. She has not been able to keep anything in her stomach for over a week now. So what do I do?

I am totally at a loss and waiting on God to make it better. I mean, I have way too much stuff to do for all of this to be hanging over my head. How can I do what I have to do at work if it is all I can do to keep it together at home?

(I am now pausing for the day and I will let you know what I come up with).

Ok, here is what I found over the last 20 hours:

• You still have to lead if you are in ministry. This doesn’t mean that you have to be at the office all day, just practice good communication with the team.
• Let your people see that this is hard for you without breaking down into a big sobbing mess. They need to see you are human and that you are waiting on God.
• Let your people do things for you even though you want then to focus on their work. They want you to know that you are important to them.
• Try not to feel guilty about missing things. You will remember more that you were not there for your family than remembering you were not there for your team.
• Set up a good model for your team on how to deal with stress. Show them how to navigate life when it throws you a curve ball.

Alright, we are not out of the woods yet but I will write more soon to let you know what is going on.

Recently I was talking to someone about the fact that they had a bitter attitude when it came to serving on the weekend.  They basically had the perception that Sunday was their day.  I mean, they worked six days a week and Sunday was the day that they should relax, kick back, and enjoy life.

Now, I absolutely agree that they need to relax, but I disagree with their view of the week itself.

Sunday, in reality, is the first day of the week.  Actually, it has been viewed this way by some ancient cultures.  Of which we can thank the Jews of where we get our religious practices and beliefs.

Here’s what happens when we take this all in perspective and view Sunday as the first day of the week.

• We set the week up for greater influence by God because it begins with Him.
• It helps with the concept of tithing, which many Christians have a problem with also because it is about giving to God first not last.
• We are less likely to get burned out during the week because of a good beginning.
• The tradition of using Sunday as your first day allows you to prepare for the week as far as meal planning, clothing prep, etc.
• It will make you set better priorities and not work 60-plus hour weeks.
• This helps you treat Saturdays as your Sabbath to hang with the family as it should be.
• It makes you more productive in your week because you are striving to get everything done by Saturday.

Bottom line: Christianity is all about love but it is also about discipline.  You have to be intentional about giving to God first.  By allowing God His rightful position other things in your life will begin to pan out.  You will feel like serving more.  Tithing won’t be such a bad thing.  And you might even become a better spiritual leader for you family.

Sunday, the new Monday?  Or has it always been this way?  Isn’t it time to get back to drawing board?

So, whatcha scared of?

Leading people in things of the spiritual realm can be a daunting task.  I think that when people ponder the possibility of doing this, they see someone else’s eternity hanging in the balance.  Or maybe they’re just concerned with messing somebody else up real bad because of the possibility of giving them bad advice.

I have heard this from within some of the areas in our church.  I understand what this fear feels like.  But I don’t think that this point is where we need to pitch our tents and camp out at, believing we can’t make a difference.

Whatever it is that causes this fear, it makes people timid and reluctant when it comes to the possibility of leading someone spiritually.

That’s a shame because many people are missing out on a better life because of their feelings of inadequacies.  I mean, put yourself in the shoes of someone that needs help for a moment.

As this person, do you need someone to solve the deepest darkest part of your psychological makeup? Or would it be nice to have someone else just to bounce some ideas off of?  Someone to take the time and listen to you?  Or how about having someone lend a hand when you need it?  Does this sound like a way someone could help lead you spiritually?

Well, it is.  This is the way to lead someone spiritually, to make a difference in their lives.  Listen to this cool scripture from the apostle Paul (see my comments in italics):

“Because of the service (the help you give) by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God (Whoa! They will actually talk about how great God is because of you!) for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, (that means they know – because you took the time to help – that when you talk to them, you’re doing it for God) and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone.”
2 Corinthians 9:13

All it takes is a willing heart to stop and help someone.  God will get the credit because of you.  And you will now have more leverage to talk to that person about God.

Do you still think you are not equipped to lead someone?  All you gotta do is help, not solve someone’s problems for them.  That’s God’s job.  But…it starts with you.

-Jody