I’m in the middle of reading Waking the Dead by John Eldridge which is proving to be an incredible book. As I was reading, there is a Scripture reference that took on a new meaning to me:

Psalm 86:11 (NIV) - Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

I’ve always understood this verse to be giving permission for the Lord to teach us to walk according to His ways. But, what if “Teach me YOUR WAY” also means giving Jesus permission to teach us in the way He feels we will learn best. What if we were to allow Jesus to teach us “His way”…even if that way is sometimes very painful or uncomfortable for us. Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone so that we may learn to be more like our maker?

Lord, teach me YOUR WAY…so I will learn even if it shakes me up!

As leaders, one of the things we must do is multiply ourselves. We must be intentional about seeking out people with leadership potential and pouring our lives into theirs. There is no question about that. But, if we are to truly leave a legacy, there is one more piece to the puzzle.

As leaders, we must seek out those who have strengths that cover our deficits. That way, as we pour into their lives, we set them up not only to replace us but to be better than us. That way we have, in essence, improved on ourselves. We set in motion an evolution where that which we have passed on is made better and more apt to adjust, or EVOLVE, to meet the changing needs of culture.

So, yes, I DO believe in evolution. I believe, as leaders, we must be intentional about raising up leaders who are far superior to us and far more equipped for the world that lies ahead and beyond us.

I consider myself an agent of change. I simply cannot stand when something remains untouched, unexamined, UNCHANGED for long periods of time. To me, that is a sure sign of stagnation and death.

As leaders, we must understand something…EVERYTHING expires. One of the deadliest phrases in a leader’s vocabulary is, “that’s the way we’ve always done it.” Really? Then it’s probably time to change something.

Change brings a freshness to life. It keeps us on our toes by requiring that we step out of our routine, out of our comfort zone and push ourselves to a new limit. If you are not pushing toward new limits everyday, you are not a leader, you are a lingerer. Regularly reevaluate EVERYTHING. Hold nothing sacred. After all:

• just because it worked in the past doesn’t mean it will work now
• just because it IS working doesn’t mean it can’t be improved
• and if its NOT working…why are you still doing it?!