So you want to be a leader? Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflection

Deuteronomy Chapter 28 verses 1 and 13

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
And
And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them".


Leadership is a subject which has received much attention from the management perspective. It is now agreed that Servant Leadership is a powerful concept and probably the best leadership style. But did you know that the concept of Servant Leadership was best exemplified by Jesus Christ? Christ's Leadership is further based on Biblical principles, starting with the 10 commandments, through the proverbs and in fact every book of the Bible. Some of the key traits practiced by Jesus Christ are - Humility, Focus, Story telling (or explaining through stories, another concept which has become very popular in modern times),
Leading by example and many more.

For people who think that their professional life is separate from their spiritual life, the big news is that it need not be. Much benefit can be gained in our professions if we observe and implement management principles from the Bible at the workplace.

For more details on the Leadership of Christ, as a model of Servant leadership please read here
https://coolerinsights.com/2012/12/the-12-leadership-principles-of-jesus/

What will you do with your gift?: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

What do we do with our gifts? This is an ever-present question. But first, let me point out the difference between a present and a gift.

A Gift is something of value given by one person to another without consideration, out of love, with no expectation of return.

A Present, on the other hand, is something of value given by a person who is invited to attend a function or party, such as, a wedding party, birthday party, marriage-day party etc. Unlike a gift, which is absolutely free, a present is not given absolutely free; there is an understanding of giving and taking — present is given in lieu of taking part in the function or party

We all receive Gods gifts - as blessings. Our nontransferable skills, talents, job etc., are gifts coming from God's blessings. The greatest gift of all was God's gift to mankind, Jesus Christ.

The question is what do we do with these gifts? Ms. Francis Taylor sums it up beautifully when she prays -

"When God blesses us with abundance, even excess, He calls us to share that blessing with others. It’s ok that we harvest our field, meet our own needs, and pay all of our bills. But what do we do with what is left? Instead of hoarding or spending every last penny, let’s find ways, even if they are small ways, to pass blessings on to those in need".

A very familiar sight is described in Mark 12 verses 41 to 44. Have we all not seen this, or done this? 

"41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents".

People observing this (in those times, much as we do today) would have looked down on that widow, sneering at her two coins. But read on...

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

"Work through my gifts so that Your grace can be seen and Your love can be experienced by those You have called me to help". - Ms. Francis Taylor

Embrace the unknown: Pastor Rajiv's Daily Reflections

Leaders embrace the unknown

Read: Genesis 12

Managing risk and uncertainty is a mandatory skill and habit for business leaders. They are called upon to maintain a stable attitude whether they are in a profitable state or a loss scenario. Seldom do they flinch from carrying out what they are supposed to do. Yet, in personal lives we normally hate risk and hate uncertainty. We avoid such situations to the best of our abilities.

In our reading today, Abraham was directed to head out to a distant land, not knowing how and why. He is the e ample of someone embracing the unknown. Not questioning or doubting, just with faith in the future. A future based on a promise made by Jehovah.

How many of us would do that? Yet Abraham did and we all know how it turned out for him.

We can be leaders in our homes, our workplace or society, carrying out our purpose and our role assigned to us. 

Like Abraham, we too can make a difference.