When God Intervenes

(picture taken at Camp Lebanon)

Leadership can be described in many ways. There are different forms and styles of leadership. This picture shows the example of leadership in three ways through referencing the book The Tale of Three Trees. Each tree wanted to be something when they grew up. One wanted to be a treasure chest, another a ship and the last one to just grow up and remind others of God. Each tree thought that they knew what was best for their lives but, instead there was a better plan. Just like in leadership, we have plans for what we want to do but, a better plan happens. In my experience, I thought as a counselor at camp I would be there for the girls in my cabin each week and pour out God's Love on them. Yes, God did do great things through that but, he also showed me His love through the campers and how he is working through each and everyone of their lives. God had his plan when he put me in that position and really showed me how he impacts my life through the campers lives and what they have been through. I thank God for the girls he brought into my cabin and for all the work that was done. 

Emerging theories of leadership show growth in ones life. Leaders are servants. Those who want to fit the needs of others around. Leaders become so enthralled by others lives and put interest into their lives more than their own. Followership show great leadership skill that are progressing. Followers can be seen as leaders through their consistency and focus on what is important through commitments in life.

Being on staff at Camp Lebanon was a wonderful God giving experience. I saw order in having the same type of schedule every week/day. Yet, we learned flexcellence. Meaning excellence while being flexible at the same time. Schedule would have to change and we as staff would be just as excited for that event as much as the planned event. When you look at it; the curve balls in life are the best times for fun and learning experiences. Just like with the three trees story; plans do not always work and the unknowns become the best experiences. We come to find out that God works through us through the unplanned times - that also happen in leadership.

When God intervenes in life, we need to take the time to thank him for the many realizations we have and give all the glory back to him!

Life Through the Camera Lens

What does it mean to see life in a new perspective?
In life we seem to get caught up in our day to day routines, seeing only what we need to see. We start our days thinking we already know what will happen, go to work, got to class, maybe there is a meeting or even once in a while have lunch with a friend- but, we just get caught up in this world. Instead we should plan for the unexpected. Let us not just look into our "first lens" of life. May we focus in and see a real perspective. Look around at the people we are with everyday - think about how God sees that person as an individual. Do we not realize their are other people in our lives? People who are going about life in their own way.

May we focus in and strive to interact with one another. Take the time to see what is really going on in each others lives. I do not thing we realize - but, just so you know we are not as busy as we think we are. Lets take that extra couple minutes in our days to get to know the people around us in our lives.

From a "zoomed out" perspective our society has followed the social norms of living a busy lifestyle. As we focus in each individual person in our society - each one of us has a life! Looking around today - may we start to see the perspective of seeing "real life" in everyone's life. Everyone has a story - as we walk by, drive by, or think of people we have no idea what is really going on in their lives. That is why we should take the time to listen and share about experiences in each others lives.

As we take the time for "focus" the lens on the lives around us, we may than realize the focus becomes less on ourselves. May we take the interest of others into a stronger perspective. "Philippians 2:3-4" May we realize that everyone has a life and a passion and may we gain insights from one another. May we stop the judgement of one another and realize we are all equal.

Become a photographer- better yet, be the camera! Allow God to be the photographer! Let him take the pictures of life through you. May we start to see life through his perspective. Focus in on the lives of one another. Capture the joys and happiness of laughter and the hurts and sadness of pain. Lets allow God to pull out the "zoom lens" of our lives and share life. It may be vulnerable at times but, we are called to love through sharing our real life experiences.

Cameras are great but, cameras are better when pictures are taken with them. Lets capture the moments of each others lives. May we not pass by beautiful moments in life that could create even more beautiful pictures that last longer than a memory. God knows what picture extravaganzas he wants to go on and what photo shoots in life to focus in on. May we open up our lives into God's great plan and allow him to do the work that needs to be done.

May we gain a better perspective to "focus" in on the lives around us and start to see life through the camera lens!

Embracing Leadership

There are many perspectives to define a leader. Being a leader is not at all about the title. It is about having a heart that cares for those that may be watching. A leader is being a follower. Leaders want to see followers accomplish a goal and watch them learn through the process. Through setting an example of positive values, one may even lead without even knowing it. A leader is really one who steps down and looks at life in many perspectives. One who looks at life by looking at the interest of others first. Philippians 2:3-4 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others". To become truly selfless and humble defines a leader. When I look back at individuals I looked up to I see characteristics of serving and loving on all of those around them. The individual did not have a care in the world if anyone noticed them as a leader, all they wanted to do was serve.

One who really strives to humble themselves and Jesus Christ did has the characteristics of a true leader. As stated in Matthew 18:3-4 "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven". That is how leaders become followers. We are to strive and be in tune and resonate with the most holy God. To really humble ourselves can be challenging. In my experience it could turn to prideful-humility. The thought of wanting others to notice your humility. There is no humility in that at all. To become truly humble-not wanting any benefit at all, is a humble servant of the Lord.

Embracing the thought of a leader leads to the idea of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. To truly strive and be humble-just as Christ was. Doing everything for the glory of God through serving others through love. I pray that we strive to become more and more like the example of Christ himself.