On Leadership

Recently we've been having many discussions about leadership at Hope Church.  What does it look like to be a leader and what does service to the Lord really entail?  I know many of you have much more wisdom on the subject than I do, but I thought I would share some of the conversations that we've had.  Leadership is meant to influence.  Some of the most valuable things we can influence others with is hope.  Leaders know that every move they make is watched by others and they seek to make each move to glorify God to influence others to walk with the Lord, to bring hope into their lives.  They must be people of integrity, who speak words of life because people listen when they speak.  Leaders take responsibility, they don't cop out when the people they are leading mess up.  I mean check out Moses when the Israelites made the golden calf, he says to God, "if you don't forgive them, please blot my name out of your book."  How is that for leadership?  He wasn't even there when they sinned and yet he takes responsibility for it.  He stands in the gap for them and puts his own life on the line to defend them even when they've royally screwed up.  Leaders stand their ground when things get hard.  They persevere under trial because they know that the testing of their faith produces endurance.  They find their strength in the Lord and they know that they must be refreshed in Him daily if they want to survive in the positions they have been assigned.  Leaders don't lord it over the people they lead but instead seek to serve them.  They know that "Whoever seeks to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for my [Jesus'] sake shall find it."  They don't seek a title or a position but push others toward greatness and seek to be surpassed by their peers and the ones they mentor.  So are you really a leader?  Am I?  I think by the grace of God we all are called to be and by His strength we all can be.
Grace and Peace.
Rose

Something Worth Fighting For

It has been quite a while since my last post and much has happened during that time.  Since my last post, five of the medium termers have gone home, which makes base a much quieter place.  We’ve also had several more weeks of school and as Pre-School teachers we are beginning to see the fruit of our hard labor (and it is hard!).  Children who knew almost nothing just eight weeks ago, now know basic shapes, colors, numbers and the beginnings of phonic sounds.  It’s amazing!  And I’m very proud of God’s babies that I have the privilege of having in my class!!  (Even if I get annoyed beyond all reason with them on most days).  Not only are they learning, but their overall classroom behavior is improving.  Praise God!  I’ve also stepped down from children’s church on Sundays, which gives me a nice break from being in charge of children.  On base, we had such a nice weekend last week, where six of us sat down for three nights in a row to watch the Lord of the Rings movies.  I haven’t laughed so hard since leaving home and it was refreshing to be in the company of friends for such a long time.  And yes, I did say we laughed, I’m afraid that Lord of the Rings will never be the same for me.  So as I continue to walk on this epic journey called life, I’m thankful for the reminder of Samwise which paraphrased goes something like this, “The people of the great stories, they had many opportunities to quit.  But they didn’t.  They pressed through, because they had hope, hope that there is something worth fighting for, some good in this world.”  I bid you good night my dear friends and remind you to press on, because there is Someone worth fighting for, and He has already won. :) 

Grace and Peace,

Rose