by Rev. Jeff Gannon –
Some of the things I did not get to on Sunday in my sermon….
– I love the Abraham Lincoln quote…”If you want to test a person’s true character, give them power.” The reality is…most people cannot handle power with becoming self-serving. To be Christian is to be filled with power from on high. What we do with that power determines whether people are blessed or cursed.
– I am always inspired by the Marianne Williamson quote you may have heard many times before. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
– Ken Blanchard, the leadership guru who had a powerful conversion experience as a senior adult, was told by a very wise man, “Prior to your conversion, the Lord has always had you on his team, you just hadn’t suited up yet.” That’s a great definition of prevenient grace.
The greatest need in the church today is the creation of a new 12 step group called, “Egos Anonymous.” The symptoms of those with ego addiction would be:
1. Pride
2. Fear
3. Judgmental
4. Critical
5. Self-serving
6. Driven to have more than one’s neighbor
Jesus’ cure…becoming a servant minister. Make yourself available to God’s purposes in the world right now. Enter into the muck, mire, and mess of humanity and you will experience true humility. What is humility? It is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of yourself less. A critical distinction.
I have attached the 5 levels of leadership from John C. Maxwell (see below). They are worth pondering. I hope you will carefully consider where you are on the journey of leadership.
Have a blessed week!
Jeff
