New Year, New Reveal

“Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp,do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon.”  
                                                                   —Judges 7:17-18 (NIV)

As leaders looking forward to this new year of 2016, we no doubt have a vision for what is ahead. Yet having the idea in our mind is only a small part of our leadership responsibility. The most important aspect of this vision is communicating it to the team. 

Gideon knew what the Lord was asking him to do and even though he probably had doubts, when the time came he threw his full weight into the mission. He was able to use his influence to clearly convey what needed to be done and then he did it with his army.

The best way to persuade those under our leadership is not by just sharing the dream in words, but by showing them what we are hoping to do. It all comes down to what they understand. If they don’t grasp it, they will never get on board. Paint your big picture clearly when you are ready to move forward in the direction God is leading.

Good leaders must communicate vision clearly, creatively and continually. However, vision doesn’t come alive until the leader models it.
                                                                                             —John C. Maxwell

Christmas, A Time to Praise

“My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior"                                                                                                   —Luke 1:46-47 (NIV)

Yes, it is that time again. Seems like we just put the decorations away from last year and here we are, getting them out all over again. Tradition means we’ll do it just like we always have. That’s also the way it is with the Christmas Story. It’s been told and retold for thousands of years. So how do we read it again and expect to get something new from it, year after year?

That is the risk we take we if allow the tradition of the season to be our only focus. Every 364 days we are going to rejoice in God’s love sent to us in the form of the baby Jesus. We all plan on that. Yet, God didn’t just stop sending His love and mercy to us when His Son was born. He has shown up every day since. That means He has been there for us every day this past year as well. Traditions are a good thing. However, if we only concentrate on those, we rob ourselves of the opportunity for something new and spontaneous.  

These verses in Luke are an inspiring reminder as we prepare for Christmas. Mary’s praise in this scripture is an unconstrained response of a thankful child of God. She was overwhelmed by the Lord’s goodness and she sings one of the most beautiful and profound songs of worship.

We, too, can allow this time of year to create that kind of response within our hearts. Contemplating the boundless love and mercy our Heavenly Father showed us over the year will no doubt bring something to mind that can cause us to feel the same kind of overpowering gratitude. When we remember His goodness, praise is the best response from a grateful heart.  

Even as we move through the chaos and busyness naturally created by this time of year, let’s take time each day to praise the One who came as well as the One who sent Him.

“Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!”
—Stuart K. Hine, 1949