Perseverant Leaders

To all u cell/coach/church leaders...

I caught up with a friend yesterday and we agreed that being a leader can sometimes be hard. Now i'm not saying this to discourage you or anything - but so that you can understand that as a leader (just like living life itself) has its ups and downs. I guess that as a leader, there is some degree of expectation. For example, you are somehow expected to preach what you say and stuff. Now for some this is easy, but for others it may be hard - after all we're all humans. But let me just say that although there's this expectation thing - don't therefore pretend to be someone you're not. Be genuine. When I started off as a cell leader, there were times when life seems to go wrong, and I simply put on a mask as I went to cell, pretending all was good. I believe people will respect it when you're vulnerable - that you are still a human (haha!) So basically, it is something to strive for: to walk the walk, and not just talk the talk... but at the same time, we're all still human and we all need a bit of grace.

I'm getting somewhere... hang on!! Going along the same lines.... last year, there was a time when I almost burnt-out. This was around the August-September period. I've probably shared this with some of you. But this was a time when I felt so inadequate as a leader. You might know the feeling - when cell members are discouraged, we leaders encourage them. But who do we turn to when we need the extra encouragement? I guess there's the cell - but to a certain degree. When it gets too deep, sometimes you need a stronger pillar to lean on. So it was with me - i felt totally discouraged. But it was during these times I've learned to depend more on God. It is because of Him, we serve. We don't really need the cell verbally encourage you so that you know you're on the right track. We need to understand that because God is using us as His instruments - we KNOW for a fact, God is smiling, and He's proud of you. In saying all of this, I want to encourage all of you that you don't have to attain some standard. Remember that God has already positioned you as a leader for a specific purpose. He's doing something through and in you.

There is no "perfect" leader. Just people humble, obedient and willing to be used by God. You need to have a heart for people.

I know that also, God has placed us alongside each other to encourage and support one another. The whole unity thing. Being a leader has its ups and downs - but like life, it's during the tough times where our character is strengthened most.

PERSEVERANCE: A dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.