I am a runner. When my knees are good I have been known to run as many as 6 days a week. When I run I am serious about it. I watch the time. I pace myself. I measure my distance. I check my calories burned. I do it for exercise. I run for personal well-being. I run because I love to run.
Running isn’t always easy. Sometimes I spend time thinking about the sports drink waiting for me when I get home. I think about how much my legs hurt. Lately, I’ve been thinking a great deal about whether my knees will allow me to continue running. On longer runs I’m almost always thinking towards the end about how ready I am to be home.
Then all of a sudden – when I’m about to be disappointed I’m still running – sometimes I will stop and think.
I chose this!
No one forced me to run. I chose this as my form of exercise. I could be in the gym – bored to death on the treadmill. I could be on the couch – bored to death with the monotony of television. I could be in a crowded meeting full of dozens of extroverts.
Running is my time. Running is what I choose to do for me.
It’s actually supposed to be fun!
It’s this way in leadership too at times.
Sometimes we can get so caught up in the stress of leadership we forget – I chose to be a leader.
I wasn’t forced into this position. Sure, God “called” me into ministry. And, it is a job, which pays our bills – thank you Jesus! But I said “Yes, Lord”. I surrendered willingly.
No one made me be a leader. I wanted the opportunity to make a difference. I had a dream. I had a God-given vision.
Sometimes I need to remind myself. Some days more than others.
I wanted this! And, I’m thankful for the opportunity.
Do you need reminding you chose to accept the position of leadership?
A moment of Tears. I was Pastoring a Church had been there almost 10 yyears., My wife decided to commit adultery. She left me and emptied my bank accounts. I had to hire and lawyer and pay an unreal fee to get some income back. About a month ago the church I was pastoring decided to force me to resign. I had no job and no place to live. By Gods grace I have a job not a well paying job but a job and I found a little house to rent. This has been the toughest year of my life. I have never been as emotional in my life as I have been this year. Been crying and still crying. Hard to adjust and I am a Marine and a Firefighter.
Thanks Mike Weaver
Please pray I know thats all anyone can do
I'm praying for you now. Wow.
Ron! It's a paradox which each and every one of us encounter at some point of our lives. The key to overcome this deficiency — by reminding ourselves of our purpose and calling in our lives at regular intervals.
Good reminder Uma.
It is easy to allow yourself to become overwhelmed with the reality of what was once a dream! In our minds, the dream is perfect. All the benefits without the daily grind and heavy doses of responsibility they bring.
As a dad, I remind myself of this all the time. Raising my boys can be hard at times and just simply mind-numbingly dull at others. But I remind myself that not only did I choose this, but if it were taken from me I would spend the rest of my life wishing I could play just one more time with trains and toddlers.
Sometimes, maybe not every time, that little reminder helps me to re-engage fully with leading my family again in passion…even while bored and overwhelmed.
And that gets translated to every other area in my life where I lead.
Good word. Thanks.