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Lead with a limp - man rock climbing on cliff

Lead with a limp

October 28, 2018 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

A phrase used often in the Christian leadership program for twenty-somethings I work with, when referencing a seasoned leader, is that they “lead with a limp”.

This isn’t some strange reference to valiant leaders with physical disabilities (e.g., Franklin D. Roosevelt or John McCain). It is, instead, acknowledgment of their humility; a humility gained only after walking through hardship, defeat and the reality that leadership and perfection are unacquainted.

Desiring to lead with a limp

In our world, to “lead with a limp” is a sign of honor. It says, “Behind that welcoming smile is a story of a man or woman who knows pain and suffering, and has chosen to hold their head high and fight another day.”

The untested leader is at the mercy of circumstance.

Like a vessel without a ballast, they are easily swayed and prone to succumbing to the waves of adversity. And while adversity is a blessing to ones’ personal growth, it can be disastrous to an organization whose leader has been placed in positional authority prematurely, without having overcome many series of adversity previously.

Cherish the hard things in life

For this reason, I encourage young men and women to do hard things.

Our society praises and promotes the personality who seems to effortlessly climb the ranks of success (only to then drop them immediately once their humanity is revealed). This elevation of mere humans to celebrity status can make us think that setbacks are proof we are not meant for greatness. This is a lie.

And before I mislead you, greatness is not fame or fortune. Greatness is knowing who you are in the face of your creator and humbly and obediently walking that out.

Greatness, in its’ proper definition, is something we should strive for because it brings God glory. He created us to know Him and be known by Him, to hear Him and respond. Greatness, however, was never achieved by one who escaped challenge.

So do hard things. Learn from your mistakes. Grow. And gain humility, all the while.

You will get knocked down, and that’s okay. But failure is only rewarded to him who refuses to get up again.

When you push through the anguish of loss, the embarrassment of momentary defeat, or the demoralization of inadequacy, don’t lose hope. You are journeying through the gauntlet of perseverance and soon will know what it means to lead with a limp.

Filed Under: Discipleship Tagged With: Humility, Leadership

All authority created by Him and for Him

All authority created by Him and for Him

October 20, 2018 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

“For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Colossians 1:16

In world that is so confused by the misuse and abuse of authority, to have a right understanding of authority is water on parched lips.

God found it pleasing to elevate Christ, that He might have the centrality of our focus and the supremacy of our worship and obedience. Together, with the move of the Holy Spirit, they are preparing the Kingdom of God and drawing all things back to them until the final day of Christ’s return.

And while the poor use of authority is prevalent globally, there is a call for heightened fear of God (honor and respect that draws us in and purifies our motives, not “fear” as in being scared — though who wouldn’t tremble at the presence of a holy being?). Seeing God rightly restores our vision and reminds us of our small place before Him.

Yet God’s goal is not to make us small. It’s to place us into authority and rule rightly, that we might reflect Him better, which ultimately brings Him more glory.

He lifts us up to be used by Him; to fulfill our role as sons and daughters, kings and queens under His lordship.

When we acknowledge that we were called to greatness, to rule and reign with Him, we can begin to step into the places of authority He is preparing us for. And when we walk in obedience in our domain of authority, those around us will be loved well.

Whether as parents, spouses, in business or in worship — when Christ is given the rightful place as Lord of our lives — God is glorified and we quicken the arrival of His Kingdom. Proper authority is restored.

It all starts with God and goes back to God.

Filed Under: Lordship Tagged With: Authority, Colossians

Learning new depths of stillness

Learning new depths of stillness

September 29, 2018 by brianmichaelsteck Leave a Comment

When I first began writing, ages ago, my blog was entitled “Be Still And Know…”. I was probably about 18 years old and, even at that point, had realized the importance of solitude, silence and stillness.

Now, 16 years later, I get the sense that I’m learning about this profound power all over again.

Life has sped up, changed and become exponentially more complicated than it was then. And I believe that it’s for this reason that the concept of stillness is re-emerging for me.

A Full Life

Many people have lives that are way more hectic and overfilled than mine, so I don’t claim to have the corner on “scheduling eccentricity.” But life is full. A growing ministry, a growing business, a growing family; sometimes it feels non-stop. There is no idle “boredom time” filled with TV or social media in my life. The term “full” implies both a joyful/thankful life, as well as an exhausted one.

So when my 5:30 mornings aren’t already committed with diaper-changing or early-risers, I’m fighting hard for time with the Lord and squeezing in a few more pages of an inspiring book. This year, those books have introduced me to some ultra-productive, deep-thinking writers who have made me question my ways.

“There’s a hole in the Matrix”

Busyness is not a badge of honor.

I think it all started with the “4-Hour Workweek” by Tim Ferriss. He talks about how being perpetually busy is a form of laziness, not a perverse badge of honor.

That hit me.

In a world where we commonly respond to “how are you doing?” with “Phew! Been busy!”, this perspective is refreshing and — in my opinion — dead on.

We’re WAY too busy, and with absolutely the wrong types of stuff.

Overactivity isn’t necessarily moving the ball forward, and certainly not the most important ball.

It feels likes productivity, but it’s likely missing the point.

When I stop to be still, I remember what really matters:

  • I’m small.
  • God is big.
  • Invest in the things that’ll cry at your funeral… people matter.

So, making money or growing a church or running for office; they’re all good things. But they’re not eternal things. And if they aren’t your wife, children or the people that God has called you to… they really are the wrong things to be spending your life pouring into.

Going Deep

I’m wrapping up a book called “Deep Work” by Cal Newport, in which he makes a convincing case for cutting away from the things that are “shallow”, such as social media, email and distraction-heavy tasks, in exchange for blocks of time that are dedicated to high-value tasks that require the deeper parts of your mind to engage.

He argues for strict “no work” times because the brain needs space for rest. And then he uses science to prove that the brain truly needs that resting space in order to do it’s best productive work while in the office.

The prevalence of the smart phone, and the pull of unfinished projects at work, tug at me while I’m supposed to be lavishing attention on my kids and wife. Thoughts like these, from Cal and Tim are emboldening me to make steps towards “mental freedom” and slowing down enough to be present with my family… with the people that matter most; to be still and know that there is a God, and I am not Him.

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: Priorities, Productivity, Solitude, Stillness

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