Have you ever wondered why am I here? I am meaning not so much why was I born, but rather why am I in this place at this particular time? There are several reasons as to why you and I think this from time to time.
• Things seem different than I imagined.
• Things look really tough here.
• Nothing seems to be working.
• Surely there has to be a place where I can be of more use for God and His Kingdom.
• I am just not fitting in, and I am not happy here!

In Robert Clinton’s book The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development, he addresses this issue head-on. This is one of the few books I have read multiple times. I will over the next few months share a few of his observations that have been helpful for me.

A couple of evenings ago I was checking my notes and highlights from this book and came across this material that Clinton borrows from Andrew Murray. The material from Murray helps us with a strategy regarding how do we handle being in a tight spot or circumstance.

1. He brought me here. It’s by His will I am in this straight place. In that fact I will rest.
2. He will keep me here in His love and give me the grace to behave as His child.
3. Then He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends for me to learn.
4.In God’s good time, He will bring me out again-how and when only He knows.

So let me say: I am
(1) here by God’s appointment,
(2) in His keeping
(3) under His training
(4) I will wait for His time. (Andrew Murray)

Leadership is a lifetime of lessons. Regardless of what school you attended, what seminars you signed up for and what books you have read, becoming a leader is a lifetime pursuit. I have also noticed that some of the best leadership lessons I received came in places and from people I would never have considered as teachers or teaching moments. If you are open to God’s leading everyone from small children to senior citizens can be used to teach and encourage you. If you are listening, God will teach lessons in the toughest of places. For me, some of the most enduring lessons on leadership have come when I have been in uncomfortable situations. Lessons from tight spots, I can recall at this moment were delivered in such a way that I have never forgotten and have incorporated them into my life and ministry. As a leader, you should recognize that God is continually developing and shaping you over a lifetime. More than anything else God is wanting to shape and conform us into His image. Spending time with God and His Word will heighten the awareness that all of our ministries flow out of our being, who we are in Christ.

Leader, you are doing better than you think you are! God is not done with you, and He still desires to shape and fashion you into His vessel.

Look around you today, God is wanting to teach you something!

Help me, Father, to pay attention to what you want me to learn this day!

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