The Cost of Leadership Part 7

 Please start with the first 6 posts in this series if you haven’t already.

The seventh aspect in the cost of going deeper is battles. Followers of Christ have an adversary, and his name is Satan. His desire is to keep us from knowing, serving, and trusting Christ as we walk with Him. At times we will carry scars from the battles with him. 

Ultimately Christ has won the war, but this side of heaven the enemy still has influence on earth that we will face continually. It may come through painful relationships, failure, criticism from others, health…any number of situations in which we face spiritual warfare. Even when we aren’t in warfare, life is just plain hard! But scars are visible reminders of how the Lord has prevailed, brought victory, and been glorified as we are faithful and obedient. The best part is, when we remember, we don’t allow the devil to stand in the way of our faith!

The eighth and last aspect in the cost of going deep is time. Knowing and serving Jesus takes time. We all know ministry is time consuming, but that’s not really the most important part of how we use our time. If we do not dedicate ongoing, intentional time with the Lord, in His Word, praying (and listening!), how we serve will be less than spirit-filled. If we don’t spend time with Him, how do we even know what to He wants us to do to serve Him and lead others to do the same?  

The most important part of our leadership is growing in Christ. NOTHING can replace this, even the biggest platform we may stand on or greatest assignment He has ever given us! How can we effectively show others who He is if we aren’t experiencing more of Him daily? It must be priority for us. We must read His Word and hear His Word taught, discuss these truths with others, and pray over what He’s teaching us so that it changes us. We can be an example to younger believers by modeling how to spend time with Christ on a daily basis. 

Our time with Him will show us how to love Him. and others, more deeply, and that leads us to want to spend even more time with Him. 

Don’t fear His call to go deep. Leave the shore and experience Him in a way perhaps you never have. It will not only affect your life but the lives of those you lead. 

Banner photo by frank mckenna on Unsplash