The Identity of Leadership

There are many ways to identify ourselves. We can identify who we are by our roles, titles or positions. We can identify who we are by what we have or what we do. And, we can identify ourselves by who we are associated with.

As Christians who are leaders, we would be wise to identify with the qualities of Biblical leadership. If we are not rooted first there, we will be forever trying to re-invent ourselves with each new season. There are many things that make up the Biblical model for one used by God. This week let's look at the model of BROKENNESS.

Broken is not a word that we usually ascribe to leadership. Rather we use words like: strong, capable, gifted, talented, adequate for the task. All of those descriptions are valid and good, but as Christian women who desire to lead we must first realize that God desires for us to be broken and dependent on Him. When in that place we will then be filled with His power and gifting. It was always meant to be, His life flowing through ours and His plan to be accomplished through us. Leadership? Yes, as we fall under the authority of His power, we are then equipped to live different lives that reflect His ability through human, dependent upon God, lives.

There are three key points worth reflecting on today:
1. We have a desperate need for God
2. We can not do it ( lead) on our own
3. Brokenness is an on-going process

Desperate Need for God
1 Corinthians 1:5-9, 17-20
"For in him you have been enriched in every way, in all your speaking and in all your knowledge. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ, is faithful."

"...not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us w ho are being saved it is the power of God, For it is written:
" I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"

I am in my own season of brokenness. These seasons come for many reasons...health, finances, relationship problems, employment problems, crazy in-laws, and messy details. Brokenness comes when our life is interrupted, our hearts are hurt, we face loss, or we are rejected once again. Broken people fill our streets, our malls and our churches. Broken people, like you and me, are everywhere. And, though broken seems bad, it is actually good, because it causes us to depend on God. I usually wrestle with broken places and broken pieces, but this time though the process is still painful...I am not wrestling quite as much as normal. I am learning a new normal.

My current season revolves around health issues. I am so tired of health issues and the constant back and forth of dealing with medications, side effects and daily activities revolving around health...it is tiring and has broken me down emotionally. In this place, I am tempted to feel like giving up....too tired...too much...too broken to even think of leading. But....in this place I am also encouraged that in my weakness, God's strength can be manifest. This is radical thinking.

The Bible is filled with such radical thinking. After all, in the world we live in, broken is not good, it's bad. Broken needs to be fixed. Broken is far from beautiful. Dependency is weakness, and weak is not the American dream. Yet, we are also told not to be conformed to the reasoning of the world we live in.

If you are strong today, thank God, humble yourself before Him...and choose a broken posture of laying out your life like a broken flask before Him. As He receives the offering of YOU and YOUR strength, He will work His beauty of broken bread made to give life...through you.

If you are weak today, thank God that this season is causing you to depend on Him. Choose to lay down your weak places, your disappointment and all that you are carrying before Him. Choose to be a broken flask, poured out, and filled again with the presence and power of God.

Yes, brokenness, as crazy as it seems, is a pathway to Biblical leadership.


You are in Need of God

• You are enriched in Him in every way
• You are not lacking in any spiritual gift
• He is the one who gives the gift and will keep you strong
• God who has called you is faithful
• Not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross be empty of power
• God makes foolish the wisdom of this world
• Foolishness of God is wiser than man's strength and wisdom
• God chose the foolish, God chose the weak

You Can't Do it On Your Own

• Brokenness is a conscious awareness that you need God in all things.
• A broken person has come to the end of herself, or at least what she knows to be the end of herself at this moment in time
• Brokenness is a friend, and pride is an enemy
• You can not fulfill God's assignments on your own.

Now, what will you do with this?
Think about what Scripture is saying. You might be smart, have degrees, and pedigrees ( ha) and a zillion other things that qualify you. But, if you are not broken before God, as a life dependent on Him...then you have missed the point, and so have I.

Today's Prayer
Lord, I really want to depend on you. I want to learn a different way. I want to find hope and help where I am weak. And, most of all I thank you that when I am weak, you are strong. Be my strength, and may I always boast in YOU.