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Owning Your "Yes": A Call to Christian Leaders
March 7, 2024
Lyle Wells
President
Introduction
Leading well is not for the faint of heart.
Christian leaders, you didn't sign up for a work release program within your church or business; it's community service, yes. But here's the reality check – it's not mandated; you willingly said yes. Now, I’m going to challenge you to "own it."
When I was a college basketball coach, I would sit with our players, and I used a little Jedi mind trick. I would ask, “So, what are your goals?” And they all wanted to be all-conference and all-Americans, and they all wanted to play in the pros.
I’d tell them, “If you want that, are you saying yes to me coaching you hard? Because you'll never get there until I coach you hard. I won't embarrass you. I won’t humiliate you. Right? My goal is not to hurt you, but I'm going to coach you like you want to be an all-American. Are we good with that? Are you saying yes to that?”
And I'm telling you, if there were Instagram reels of me coaching basketball, you would have watched me say something like, “Don't pout, Benny. You said yes to this!”
If I got them on a call, I’d ask these kinds of questions:
- Did you say yes to this?
- Did you tell me you wanted to be great, or am I crazy?
They’d respond with, “No sir. I did.” Then, I’d remind them, “Alright, then back on the line. Here we go. You said yes to this."
Just like those athletes had to agree to be coached intensely, you, too, said yes to the challenges of leading well. It's not about embarrassment or shame about our leadership failures, our constraints––that’s the Enemy’s work. A willingness to be coached propels you towards greatness––your highest and best.
You need someone to call you out and up, to rise to meet this cultural moment and to do so for the glory of God. You need someone to remind you of your commitment to the sanctification process, to Jesus. You need someone to be in your corner when challenges arise so that you’ll remember your yes.
Here are two actions you can take today to make your yes matter:
- Shift Your Perspective:
God is going to accomplish his will in the world, and he's invited you to be a part of the miraculous! What you do is challenging, but God hasn't called you to do anything that he doesn't have every intention of helping you complete.
Focus on the privilege of being on the front row of incredible moments. You have the opportunity to share intimate moments with people, being present in their most vulnerable times. It's a privilege, not a burden. From being invited into intensive care hospital rooms, to baptizing children, to hiring new team members to join your mission, you're a pivotal figure in people's lives. Take a moment to acknowledge the incredible experiences that come with Christian leadership. Celebrate these privileges, and let them fuel your passion for the mission said yes to. - Celebrating God's Faithfulness:
Godly leaders work in the natural realm, but we operate from the spiritual realm. Our work is made "good" because of the supernatural power of God Almighty. He alone is the activating force creating transformation in your organization. You’re getting things done, your team is probably incredible, but it is the Lord who’s catalyzing the work he’s designed for us to complete.
When’s the last time you took a minute to list out the role of the Holy Spirit in your leadership? How has God protected you, provided for you and guided you? When’s the last time you remember God intervening in a decision that could have cost you time, money, or heartache? Don’t go one more minute without pausing to celebrate God’s faithfulness.
Kingdom work is not just hard; it's extraordinary! As you navigate the challenges and joys of your calling, remember this – Jesus will never lead you anywhere that you don't need him. Because his strength is made perfect in your weakness, you will find him standing right in the middle of hard things; the things that make you feel most exposed. But this is why you said yes, isn't it? To encounter God in your own life while advancing his kingdom around you? Own it. Embrace coaching, shift your perspective, and celebrate God's faithfulness. journey filled with profound moments that will forever shape your life and the lives of those you lead.
You know as well as I do that everyone in your organization needs to shift their perspective and celebrate God’s faithfulness.
On Purpose,
Lyle Wells
President of Integrus Leadership
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