Week 12 and self-leadership quiz.

Week 12 and it sees myself and at least one other GHC pastor applying the self-leadership principle.

How's that going for you?

Self-leadership.

I spent the past 3 days at the coast with my family - despite this being the biggest weekend of the Christian calender.

Self-leadership.

Bill Hybels first spoke about it. Leading up, leading down, leading across .....leading inwards! We more often than not forget the leading inwards direction - self leadership.

I've got one staff member who will congratulate me on taking this one serious. (Didn't always think I did - so thanks for the compliment Deborah!)

But this week I did.
Three days at Carmel by the Sea; golf with my boys; good food; limited emails; some books to read; running the coastline; beautiful scenery.
And all the time thinking about death!
Yep .....with a major preach coming in 4 days time ...still had to let it percolate.
But this percolating was done carefully and still I was able to be gone and enjoy family time.

I'm not saying you demonstrate self-leadership only when you break from work on the busiest week of the year. What I am saying is - self leadership can be done.... no excuses.

Self-leadership is not applying the sabbath principle. That's a given.
Self-leadership is more than the normal. It is an investment beyond to go beyond.

So how do you know if you are not giving self-leadership enough attention?

Here's a helpful grid I've been using, courtesy of Nancy Beach I heard her give several years ago; its a series of questions about the state of our hearts. Worth doing it .....I know it's worth me asking these questions again:

1- A heart in trouble has flat-lined…it can’t feel deep emotion any more.
Healthy hearts can feel the spectrum of emotion such as love, sadness, joy, excitement, anger and empathy. Hearts in trouble can’t celebrate even when life is wonderful.

2- A heart in trouble no longer engages in the moment or celebrates the good things of life. Healthy hearts have the ability to seize the day and be with people in the moment.

3- A heart in trouble no longer has room for fun, laughter or spontaneity.
Healthy hearts don’t take life so seriously that they miss the fun of life.

4- A heart in trouble has lost compassion for those hurting. Healthy hearts don’t look at people in need as intrusions but are able to extend love and concern.

5- A heart in trouble has lost the capacity to hear God’s voice and respond. Healthy hearts are soft, attentive and open to the gentle prompting of God.

(To get a copy of Nancy’s message HEART CHECK FOR THE CHRISTIAN ARTIST, go to
www.willowcreek.org. It can be found under the ARTS Conference 2000.)

Self-leadership. Miss it too often and guess what - too late and its not just self-leadership you'll have been missing it will be all forms of leading.