Humble Thyself

Last week on a retreat, our covenant group had some candid and honest conversations about Leadership and moving forward in ministry. We talked a lot about not getting distracted by things that may seem of the earth, while at the same time being Biblically focused and Christ Centered.

Today in my devotion (trying to do that following our discussion), I read scripture not only from Psalm 1, but also Matthew 20. The Matthew text reminded me of our discussion on Thursday and Friday and reinforced it completely. In order to become great, we must be a servant first.

And then I read a great selection from a reading. James Allen wrote in "As a Man Thinketh" this passage.

And you, too, youthful reader, will realize the Vision(not the idle wish) of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of both, for you will always gravitate toward that which you, secretly, most love. Into your hands will be placed the exact results of your own thoughts; you will receive that which you earn; no more, no less. Whatever your present environment may be, you will fall, remain, or rise with your thoughts, your Vision, your Ideal. you will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration . . . .

In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of the effort is the measure of the result. Chance is not. "Gifts," powers, material, intellectual, and spiritual possessions are the fruits of effort; they are thoughts completed, objects accomplished, visions realized.

The Vision that you glorify in your mind, the Ideal that you enthrone in your heart - this you will build you life by, this you will become.

Leadership is not an easy task. And we must be careful to be mindful of all that God is continuing to bring to us in scripture, thought, prayer, and ultimately service.

Let's pray that we continue to look to God for the Vision of our hearts.