Deciding What to Follow

MercyMe sings, "No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises, no matter the scars, still the truth is the cross has made, the cross has made you flawless. No matter the hurt, or how deep the wound is; no matter the pain, still the truth is the cross has made, the cross has made you flawless!...Then like a hero who takes the stage when we're on the edge of our seats, saying it's too late, well let me introduce you to amazing grace!...Take a breath, smile, and say: Right here, right now, I'm okay, because the cross was enough...No matter what they say or what you think you are, the day you called His Name, He made you flawless. He made you flawless!" The song "Flawless" reminds us that, when God saves us, He makes us new. All of our sins are washed away! We are new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (NIV)

The central verse for tonight is Numbers 20:12, which says, "But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.'" (NIV)

Maxwell gives two pieces of advice on making decisions. "Never make a major decision in an emotionally low time." Doing so can cause poor judgment. Then he says, "Choose to be proactive, not reactive, in your leadership." Make the right moves when taking action and don't act out of anger or irritation.

Maxwell presents four questions to ask yourself (each is a direct quote):

1. Am I a reactor or a creator when I lead?
2. Do I play defense or offense when I lead?
3. Am I a people-pleaser or a God-pleaser when I lead?
4. Do I boss my calendar, or does someone else choose where I give my time?

The main theme I find form tonight's devotion is maintaining a level head and attitude during times of trial, and especially when angry or aggravated. Moses forfeited his part of God's gift to the nation of Israel because he acted in anger rather than following the Lord's directions. We can learn valuable lessons from that situation alone. However, it's not just about learning the lessons, but their applications as well. James 1:22-25 (NIV) says:

Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

The reflection question for tonight asks, "What do you learn about yourself from the questions above?"

Honestly answering the questions presented earlier can help you to grow in your leadership. In his book Good Leaders Ask Great Questions, Maxwell says, "Questions are the basis of learning. But they are also a foundation for better leadership." Asking yourself questions not only teaches you more about yourself (when answered honestly), but it can also enhance your leadership!

You can pray the same prayer I did after reflecting on those questions. "Father, please forgive me for all of my sins and shortcomings. Help me to work on and fix the areas that need changing from the previous list. Grow me into a better leader, with You at the forefront. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen!"

God bless you!