From James Dodwell - Hammers of Hope
Good Morning,
If you never do anything then how will you know when you’re
finished? I heard this said several years ago and I ponder its meaning, often.
I think about it this way, “If you never do anything, then you are finished.”
After all, you need a beginning to have and end, for every up there is a down,
for every go there is a stop, for every no there is a might be a yes, and for
every for every hate there must be love to circumvent the negative aspect to
provide a positive outcome. Another thought is that being finished doesn’t
necessarily equate to being complete. There are some things I want to complete
but I am finished long before I reach the point of completion. I am either done
with it physically or mentally or I just don’t have the skills to bring it
home. What then shall I do?
The answer: “Ask for assistance” from someone who has the
skills and abilities to finish or complete the task, because there is no shame
in not knowing how to do something, or to ask for help. Although in our world
today, it seems to communicate a sign of weakness when we ask for assistance of
which, sad to say, most of us harbor these feelings within because we are a
product of these modern times. Althea Gibson Darben wrote, “No matter what
accomplishments you make, somebody helps you.” Think about it, nothing we
have done or accomplished has been us alone. Somewhere along the way, someone
has lifted us, offered advice, assistance, laughed with us, cried with us and
gently pushed us along to get where we are today.
During one interview, retired General Colin Powell was asked
about a picture on the wall behind his desk. It was a picture of a turtle
placed on the top of a fence post. He stated, “Every time I look at the picture
I understand the turtle had help to get to the top of the post, because turtles
don’t climb fence posts.” Leaders understand we can’t do anything alone.
Leaders surround themselves with people who have various skills and abilities
and teach them to work together; using the strengths of others to off-set their
weaknesses.
True leaders use their love for people to connect the
talents and abilities of each team member to each other thus forming a strong,
unified group of individuals moving and working together toward the same vision
and goals. A true leader knows to connect with people they must show them the
care for them. Why, because love is the highest motivation for a leader to
connect with people. If you don’t love them, don’t try to lead them. For others
to follow, they need to see qualities in the leader they feel are lacking in
their lives. The spiritual leader offers their followers unconditional love and
strong relationship opportunities that build trust and confidence within the
individual and ultimately the team.
A spiritual leader assumes responsibility for the health and
development of his or her relationships. We do this by getting back to the
basics. First, as leaders of people, we must love the Lord and display this
love in everything we do. Our conversation, our actions, our reactions all
define who we are and what we believe and hold true. As leaders, we must love
the truth. Honesty in life, honesty in our walk, honesty in our words is the
glue that binds others to us. As leaders, we must love our calling. We can’t
lead if we don’t believe in what we do. Our calling, our gift is what motivates
us to do what is right and true and is the motivator for others to find their
way.
As leaders, we must love the people. People don’t care how
much we know until they know how much we care. This is so true. Many times we
fail in this category of Relationship 101. We tend to think because we show up
every day others know how we feel, but people, yes, even us as leaders, need
reassurance from time to time by letting others know they are loved and needed.
We as leaders need to walk among the people, our followers, talk to them, share
our passion for life with them, show a more personal side on occasions, and let
them know we care.
I encourage each of us to be the change we want to see in
the world. Be the person we would like to be following. Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you. It will make a difference and add value to others
and to us. 1 John 2:7-11
