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Home » Leadership Essentials, Staff/Volunteer Leadership

Leadership Essentials: First Things First

Submitted by James Higginbotham on May 26, 2010 – 4:13 am2 Comments

As leaders, we must prioritize everything our team does. Priorities are essential to ensuring things execute smooth and the team is going in the right direction. Whether you lead a team of 1 or a team of 1000, how you start often determines how you will finish. This means getting first things first.

Recently, I have been transitioning into a new role in my business. Prior to this transition period I resisted this new season of business. However, I felt that God was directing me to go in this direction and that much of my hesitation was related to past experience, not the foundation that God would provide joy and peace no matter the circumstance.

During the project, I found that I was depending upon God even more than I had been. I went from going to Him daily for direction to seeking His comfort and peace throughout the day as I stepped out of my comfort zone. The project went well as God ensured that I stayed close to Him and sought His direction on a continual basis – something I’ve been doing for many years now but not to this new level of dependence I was now finding.

After completing the project, I spent some time reflecting and praying about the project and where things might be going next. Over and over and saw the verse repeated in Bible studies and daily devotionals – “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. While these verses had become real to me already, they took on a new level of meaning. God requires that each of us become fully dependent on Him not only during the tough times, but anytime and on a daily basis. This dependence isn’t about daily tasks, although He will provide this wisdom to us; the dependence is for everything we are, everything we do, and everything we are to become.

As leaders, we must be willing to give up ourselves, our team, and our lives to God. This essential step not only impacts ourselves, but each person that we lead.

Haven’t given your life over fully to God? Pray and take the first step today to turn to God fully.

Already giving your daily life over? Pray that God will use you to teach others around you to do the same.

God will care for your project, for your team, and for your future if you let Him. Wherever you are and whatever you do, remember that you are called to be fully dependent on God.

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2 Comments »

  • Tim says:

    “…much of my hesitation was related to past experience, not the foundation that God would provide joy and peace no matter the circumstance.”

    Wow, that’s exactly where I have been over the past few months. I’ve really been wrestling with “signing on” with the church for another season of ministry. All my reasons for wanting to walk away were based on things that happened in the past, but, through circumstances and the voices of others, I continually felt God’s undeniable pull to stay put. That’s what I have done. Now I must continue the hard work of daily giving everything over to God so that His work can be done.

    Thanks for sharing, James.

  • Wow Tim, glad to hear that! I know you’ve mentioned some recent struggles and I’m so happy to hear that God has pulled you through! Thanks for sharing your highs and lows with me and the community!