Many years ago, I was on my way to church one Sunday morning and I was very frustrated. I was upsetting myself as I thought of everything that wasn’t going to be “right” when I got to the church.
I was making assumptions like, “I bet when I get there this will be out of place, that won’t be done right, this person is going to be late, etc.” Despite what I thought were my best efforts to lead a ministry of excellence, it seemed as though my efforts were in vain.
I was very frustrated that morning until the Lord made it clear that He entrusted me with Union Grove. He trusted me to love them and shepherd them into all He ordained for us. The realization changed my life.
Are you entrusted with God-ordained responsibilities, but frustrated? If so, I would encourage you to:
1. Be faithful.
Do not leave until the Lord makes it clear it is time to move on. Stay right where you are and give it everything you have to make it bear fruit for Christ.
2. Be grateful.
Gratitude is very empowering and contagious. Be grateful and spread it to others.
3. Be prayerful.
Seek God for wisdom. He said He would give it to us if we ask for it (Jas. 1:5).
4. Be hopeful.
Expect better times to come. Work toward what you truly expect to happen. Make everything you do a part of a strategy to improve what’s going on. Patiently await the manifestation of better days. They can surely come!
5. Be careful.
Being careful means to be accurate, which should make us reluctant to make assumptions like I was making that one particular Sunday morning. Inquisitive leaders pursue accuracy rather than jump to conclusions. If you really care about the people you’re leading, then be careful in leading them toward destiny!
Being careful will cause you to ask the following questions:
1. Have I made my expectations clear?
Make your expectations clear with written job descriptions, policies, procedures, etc. Stick to your policies and procedures and hold leaders accountable for upholding standards. Putting some policies in place has helped us tremendously at Union Grove.
