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If you are a leader worth their salt, you want to grow, expand, strengthen, deepen, widen…you get it. You want to have, be and do better, and that in itself is not bad. However, there are two potential downfalls with this desire:
1. It becomes your idol, and nothing can satisfy that lust for more.
2. Your continual pursuit for more, better, or new keeps you from an appreciation of where you currently are.
I realize there are situations with extremely bad conditions, and seemingly no positive spin possible. However, the reality for most leaders is that there is something to celebrate.
So maybe pause right now and consider some of the things that you take for granted that could be celebrated today. But not just for today…
There is most likely something available to you right now that could lead to tomorrow’s new, better, bigger thing.
God asked Moses at the burning bush, what’s in your hand? Moses said “a staff”.
Jesus asked the disciples at the feeding of 5000, what do you have? They said “five loaves and two fish”.
A staff isn’t enough to convince Pharaoh to let God’s people go free. 2.5 fish sandwiches will not feed 5000+…except that you’re not on the hook to do God's job.
Give your staff to God and watch it become the instrument of the Lord.
Give your fish and loaves to God for 5000 and get ready to eat the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
Instead of just looking for the next big thing, why not consider what you have in your hands right now?
Instead of longing for 50, thank God for and invest in your 25.
Instead of being disappointed that you don’t have 10 small groups, think about the potential of the 3 you do have.
I’m not saying don’t dream.
I’m saying don’t long for tomorrow so much that you fail to lead today.
About the author
Jeremy is the Campus Pastor of the Mount Paran North Canton Campus. He is married to Corrie, and has 3 sons Cooper, Branson, Tucker, and 1 daughter Kinley. He can hit a golf ball a mile but can't putt it in the ocean.
The movement of God is always forward. We have been made to soar and to embrace our future as God sees it. Forwardleadership is designed to engage leaders who have tomorrow in their hearts. Thank you for visiting.
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You have hit the nail squarely on the head. In our current pastoral trend of overdosing on "growth and leadership conferences", some of my closest ministerial colleages have become so "next level" obsessed that thier current pastoral activity is seriously lacking. I actually had a buddy who pastored a church of about 30 people tell me once that he refused to do hospital visitation. When I questioned his reluctance his reasoning was that he intended on growing the church too the point where they could hire a "Family Care Pastor". He stated that he didnt want the current members to get used to him coming to see them everytime they were hospitialized, because they then would'nt want to accept the ministry of the Family Care guy. I asked him where in the world he got his leadership ideas to which he informed me that he had been to a conference(one of many that year) that had encouraged pastors to begin to pastor the church as if they were running thier "goal" number, not the actual size of the church. Needless to say, his 30 soon became 20 then 10 then my buddy was churchless. Focus on the sheep in your fold, be faithful, and God will give you the increase. Great word, brother!
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