UYWI National Conference 2015

https://vimeo.com/138720743

LeaderDip

Can "dipping" save your leadership?

Last summer, you may recall an incident reported about a U.S. senator from Kansas, Kevin Yoder, who "skinny dipped" in the Sea of Galilee during a business trip to the Holy Land. Kevin later admitted his actions were inappropriate for a leader of his stature and he apologized for the infraction.

One might be surprised to know tucked away and buried in the pages of Old Testament scripture is a story about another famous leader who skinny dipped...

Well, sort of!

When we pick up the story in 2 Kings 5, we are introduced to a leader named Naaman.

"Now Naaman was a commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him The Lord had given victory to Aram. He was valiant soldier, but he had leprosy."

His Twitter Bio would have read as follows:
Army Commander. Great Man. Highly Regarded. Valiant Soldier. Leper.

Huh? What? Circle the item from the list that DOESN'T belong.
If you circled LEPER, you are right!

As the story unfolds, Namaan received inside information from a young nameless servant girl who told him about a prophet who could cure his leprosy. I imagine that Namaan wasn't happy about his condition. I'm sure his leprosy greatly inhibited his ability to lead. Thus, when he got wind of a potential cure, he responded immediately. The text tells us that Namaan loaded up resources, a letter of recommendation from the king and with horses and chariots left to find the prophet. Upon his arrival to the prophets house, he appears confident that his name, stature, position, presence, endorsement and generosity were going to be the keys that would save the day - again! He was going to lead his way out of this problem using everything at his disposal to make it happen. What he didn't realize was that his healing was going to cost him the one thing he did not yet possess, but so desperately needed.

The text says,
So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage."

Namaan's response revealed the underpinnings of his heart and a challenge every leader faces in his or her leadership. Namely, when our leadership gets in the way of God's Leadership. This visionary commander was so thorough that he left no stone unturned in his mind. He already envisioned and premeditated how his entire healing experience would occur. He saw the prophet call on the name of Lord, wave his hand in cirque de soleil like fashion and voila, he would be miraculously cured. If I'm honest, I'm guilty of secretly imagineering similar scenarios in my own mind. I can't even knock his hustle right now!

Well, don't you know, the prophet Elisha doesn't even show up to the meeting. He sends the third assistant pencil sharpener to relay the message on his behalf. Namaan was furious! This was not the way he envisioned his healing. The Big Kahuna prophet didn't even show up to the gig. It becomes evidently clear, leprosy wasn't Namaan's only problem. It was as if the doctor prescribed just the right dose of humility needed for his arrogant soul. The physical leprosy on the outside of his body pales in comparison to the spiritual disease of pride found on the inside.

Namaan quickly took a deep breathe and concluded that even if he could bring himself to follow the orders of the messenger to dip in the Jordan, he'd prefer the higher end and classier bodies of water to dip in. If he was going to dip, it had to be FIGI water because he didn't do POLAND SPRING. Humility, on our terms is an oxymoron.

But a shout out to the nameless servants in the text. First, the young servant girl notified Namaan about the prophet and now the traveling armor bearers tastefully and tactfully reason with their fearless leader. In short, they exhort him to listen to the prophet and dip. So Namaan made his way to the Jordan, possibly still arguing under his breathe, nevertheless moving in the right direction. The stillness of the waters were interrupted by his humble entrance and as he dipped, the ripple effects of his actions are still being felt today.

Dip...One
Dip...Two
Dip...Three
Dip...Four
Dip...Five
Dip...Six
Dip...Seven

"So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy."

The prophet said, Go wash yourself seven times in the Jordan. The number seven represents completion. He dipped until his healing was done.

While not always pleasant, I think we can all attest to the countless opportunities the Lord affords us to dip (get low) in humility. While never easy to swallow, it is always the perfect dose. When it comes to the work of humility, we dip until we're done.

Are there areas in your life and leadership, where the Lord has instructed you to do something that will be outwardly humiliating. It might be what you need. Grace awaits those who are willing to humble themselves. Namaan was a fantastic and decorated leader who could have led the rest of his life with a "but he was a leper" as part of his bio. Our strengths, gifts and calling do not nullify or excuse the areas in our lives where we might be sick.

Peter's definition of LeaderDip...

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." 1 Peter 5:6


Life On Purpose,

Ralph

Keep Little

"If I appear great in their eyes, the Lord is most graciously helping me to see how absolutely nothing I am without Him, and helping me to keep little in my own eyes. He does use me. But I am so concerned that He uses me and that it is not of me the work is done. The axe cannot boast of the trees it has cut down. It could do nothing but for the woodsman. He made it, he sharpened it and he used it. The moment he throws it aside; it becomes only old iron. O that I may never lose sight of this."

- Samuel Brengle (diary entry)

Evolution of Assignment

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Let's trace the evolution of Peter's assignment together.

1. Peter’s revelation comes from God. When we “get it” – it’s because the Holy Spirit turns on the light bulb, figuratively speaking. I’m all for reading, learning and studying but knowledge by itself is only half the battle. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in the right way – and that takes revelation from the Holy Spirit! According to Jesus, Peter answered correctly ONLY because his Father in heaven revealed it to him!

2. Peter’s revelation led to an assignment. To whom much is given much is required. I’ve discovered that God doesn’t allow us to see things, learn things or know things without a responsibility and purpose. Peter goes from revelation to assignment: on this rock (Peter), I’m going to build my church. What an honor it is when God gives us an assignment in his kingdom work.


3. Peter’s assignment comes with authority. God is not going to reveal Himself, His purpose without giving us the keys - which denotes authority to fulfill our assignments. If I say you can borrow my car, I must leave you the keys – giving you the access and authority to drive the vehicle. Jesus was giving Peter the keys, empowering him (and us) to build His church. Jesus will give us what we need to get the job done. Be encouraged!

4. Peter’s God given authority resulted in spirit empowered deliverables. When God reveals Himself, His purpose and grants us the keys – something on earth should look different. Peter's post pentecost sermon, Cornelius house visit, church letters and the like influenced his known world. Earth was impacted by his efforts to build the church and expand the kingdom. We can all ask ourselves, what on earth looks different because of our influence and leadership?


Prayer Points:

+ God, reveal yourself to us in a greater way so that everything we say and do will flow from a revelation of who you are.

+ God, reveal your specific assignment to us like you did for Peter. Lord, make it clear!

+ God, since much will be required of us, give us the courage and faith to steward both assignment and authority, properly.

+ God, help us to produce Spirit empowered deliverables, on earth as it is in heaven.


Life On Purpose,

Ralph

Rules of Engagement

As part of my summer reading, I picked up Colin Powell's memoir entitled: It Worked For Me | In Life and Leadership

The opening chapter begins with his "13 Rules" for Life and Leadership.

The "Powell Principles" actually inspired Willow Creek's, Bill Hybels to pen his own book of leadership proverbs called: Ax-i-om - another great read for anyone serving in a leadership capacity.

Leaders identify, articulate and frequently share phrases, sayings, quotes, proverbs which help them to communicate their leadership philosophy and to guide them through various decision making processes.

I found Powell's "13 Rules" to be both encouraging and challenging reminders on my own leadership journey...

I hope you find them to be equally helpful to you.

1. It ain't as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.

"This rules reflects an attitude and not a prediction. A good night's rest and the passage of 8 hours will usually reduce the infection." Give it a little time.

2. Get mad, then get over it.

Get mad...then get over it! =)

3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.

"Loyalty is disagreeing strongly, and loyalty is executing faithfully."

4. It can be done!

"Don't surround yourself with instant skeptics. At the same time, don't shut out skeptics and colleagues who give you solid counter views."

5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

"Don't rush into things...you will have to live with your choices"

6. Don't let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

"Superior leadership is often a matter of superb instinct. When faced with a tough decision, use the time available to gather information that will inform your instinct"

7. You can't make someone else's choices. You shouldn't let someone else make yours.

"We are taught in the military to take full responsibility for everything your unit does or fails to do, and what you do or fail to do. Since ultimate responsibility is yours, make sure the choice is yours and you are not responding to the pressure and desire of others."

8. Check small things.

Check small thinks a.k.a Sweat the small stuff a.k.a the devil is in the details a.k.a the little foxes spoil the vines.

9. Share credit.

"Share the credit and take the blame. Whenever you place the cause of one of your actions outside yourself, it's an excuse and not a reason."

10. Remain calm. Be kind.

Be angry - sin not!

11. Have a vision. Be demanding.

Set vision and set up to fulfill vision.

12. Don't take counsel of your fears or naysayers.

"How many cynics built empires, great cities, or powerful corporations?"

13. Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.

"Perpetual optimism, believing in yourself, believing in your purpose, believing you will prevail, and demonstrating passion and confidence is a force multiplier. If you believe and have prepared your followers, the followers will be believe."

Consider adding this book to your summer reading and consider coming up with your own lists to share with others.

I still have stripes to earn and dues to pay so my advice is borrowed, stolen and plagiarized. Here are a few of "my" leadership axioms...

+ character is king

+ measure twice, cut once

+ real recognize real

+ are you smoking what you selling?

+ people buy YOU before they buy WHAT you're selling

+ facts are your friends

+ sometimes a teacher, always a student

+ what you 'do' is not who you 'be'

+ life...on purpose!


I'll keep working my list...what is your list look like.


Ralph