From James Dodwell - Hammers of Hope
Good Morning,
Do what you are afraid of doing. Words to stretch and grow
by and I am a believer. Over the past several days I have climbed out of my box
to do several things I have never done. Why? Not sure but it just seemed to be
what I was supposed to do at the time. All the fear, worry and excuses were
eliminated the instant I decided to step forward and walk through the doors of
fear into something new and exciting. In the beginning I was uncomfortable, a
little insecure and even felt a little worthless but as I moved into this
unknown territory I began to feel freedom from the fear and a realization there
was something better awaiting me if only I could push all those negative
feelings aside.
I didn’t leap tall buildings, or stop a locomotive nor was I
faster than a speeding bullet however it was something nagging at me from
within, very simple, very much in my thoughts for too long and I needed
resolution. I made the leap, not perfect, skinned my knees and elbows a little,
but stayed focused and achieved a dream. This is the way it is when trying
something new for the first time, starting a new job, meeting new people,
speaking in public, and so on and so forth. We have to put our fears aside,
move forward, test the waters, then go for it, if not how else will we know? We
won’t. As I pondered this I recalled a story:
The sympathetic and inquisitive old lady at the seashore was
delighted and thrilled by an old sailor's narrative of how he was washed
overboard during a gale and was only rescued after having sunk for the third
time. "And, of course," she commented brightly, "after you sank
the third time, your whole past life passed before your eyes." "I
presume that it did, mum," the sailor agreed. "But bein' as I had my
eyes shut, I missed it."
This is so “life like”. There have been many missed
opportunities during my life because I had my eyes closed out of fear or just
the fact I didn’t want to make a change. However, life is like water it seeks
it on level and sometimes you can’t hold back the change; you have to go with
the flow. It’s not always a bad thing either, in fact most of the time it is
needed to help us stretch and grow and reach our potential. I read once
that when you stretch yourself, you grow, and life’s rewards are attained
through this growth. A life of growth will bring you never ending fulfillment.
This is so true.
As leaders in our homes, careers, communities, and places of
worship, we need to be the ones helping to replace the fear others experience
by equipping them through our life example. To make this point, if we wish to
equip others; we must give them certain gifts. First, we must CARE for them
through Communication, Affirmation, Recognition and Example. We must encourage
others to work on their weaknesses, but work out and lean into their strengths.
We must be willing to provide them with our time, energy and focus to help them
develop their strengths and at the same time give them ownership of the
ministry.
We as leaders become a resource, a person to maintain a
positive atmosphere, provide avenues of training, show support and provide the
tools when needed. We must make our expectations clear, help to set goals,
teaching and remaining teachable. We as leader hold the responsibility to
eliminate unnecessary burdens and when we catch them doing something good,
reward them. I recall the missed opportunity in my life was during my
early years when I was stubborn and knew everything.
There were good leaders/mentors around me each day but I did
not heed their instruction or advice. It was years down the road when I
actually took a hard fall that the words of a mentor/leader friend helped to
lift me and get me back on path. He quoted Paul from the Book of Ephesians, he
said, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but
understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Therefore, I encourage us as I was encouraged to analyze our
lifestyles, utilize the present and prioritize what is important. Every one of
us as leaders, every day, gets the same amount of time, but not every leader
gets the same results. We have to be open to change and be willing to rid
ourselves of fear. It will make a difference and be valued added to our lives
and the lives of others. Ephesians 5:15-17
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