The purpose of this blog post is to begin a series of posts to express and share how and what I'm learning as I go through Lay Leadership level one.
Through out the course of this growing process I will post periodically, and mostly about things that have impacted me deeply to grow.
Just a short insight so far. We are in week 3 of this Lay Leadership.
Finishing up a book today (April 5, 2013) called Developing The Leader Within You by John C. Maxwell, and we begin reading in the Bible today in the book of Mark.
I'm in the library at school right now, and wanted to share an experience about something I find so great during this growing process. My best friend Shawna who is also doing Lay Leadership will also be posting periodically in her blog.
Today we got out of our English class about 30 minutes early. We headed to the library and as we began to sit down and talk about what we were learning and what parts of the book struck us I just felt really impressed at how much we both are growing. For instance one part that really struck me as I turned in my book to it, she also turned to that same thing. The conversation was lead by many "OH, that's powerful!" and "that is SO good!"
Now I'm going to share with you something from the book that I wrote down as my reflection.
Back in Chapter 3 the book began talking about Integrity. The book has the definition of integrity as "the state of being complete, unified"
I'm going to post my reflection exactly as it appears on my paper and it is just key things that struck me.
Page 36. "We are all faced with conflicting desires. No one, no matter how "spiritual", can avoid this battle." Integrity is not only the referee between two desires. It is the pivotal point between a happy person and a divided spirit.
Page 37. Too often we try to be a "human doing" before we
have become a "human being."
This made me think about all the times we try moving before God has intended us to. When God wants us to be still and learn how to move (learn how to be a human being), before we actually move (by being a human doing). There's a process that has to take place before we go from A to C and we cant skip B. It made me think of all the times in life that I would have liked to skip but I'm reminded those are the times in my life that produced the best purpose. During the process of being a "human being" we go through things that help us when its time to be a "human doing".
Page 38. "Too often we attempt to motivate our followers with gimmicks that are short-lived and shallow. What people need is not a motto to say, but a model to see."
This one hit so deep in my heart that I repeat it to myself everyday. I could say so much about this quote but I feel like if it hits you the way it hit me God will begin to reveal to you what you need to know about it.
In the book it lists reasons why Integrity is important.
1. Integrity builds trust.
2. Integrity has a high influence value.
3. Integrity facilitates high standards.
4. Integrity results in solid reputation, not just an image!
5. Integrity means living it myself before leading others.
6. Integrity helps a leader be credible, not just clever.
"No one can fool all of the people all of the time. Each of us, eventually, is recognized for exactly what we are-not what we try to appear to be."
"People of integrity expect t0 be believed. They also know that time will prove them right and are willing to wait."
This part struck me because it made me realize to maintain my own integrity that I do not have to worry about those who are coming against me, talking about me, spreading malicious things, and those who try to plant seed in others to cause division between my relationships with others. If I continuously worry about what they are doing and continuously try to expose their wrongs by what they're saying, then what does that say about my integrity?
7. Integrity is a hard-won achievement.
"Integrity is not a given factor in every ones life.
It is a result of self-discipline, inner trust,
and a decision to be relentlessly honest in all situations in our lives."
"When we sell out someone else, we sell out ourselves."
This next quote goes along with the above quote.
"Still as of old, men by themselves are priced - For thirty pieces Judas sold himself, not Christ."
"Before reaching for the reins of leadership, we must realize that we teach what we know and reproduce what we are. Integrity is an inside job"
You will only become what you are becoming right now - "Though you cannot go back and make a brand-new start, my friend. Anyone can start from now and make a brand-new end."
Page 50 - "When I was young and all my prayer to God was "Lord, give me energy to change the world." As I approached middle age and realized that my life was half gone without my changing a single soul, I changed my prayer to: "Lord, give me grace to change all those who come in contact with me, just my family and friends, and I shall be satisfied." Now that I am old and my days are numbered, I have begun to see how foolish I have been. My one prayer now is: "Lord, give me the grace to change myself." If I had prayed for this right from the start, I would not have wasted my life." - Middle Eastern Mystic
That is the end of my reflection for Chapter 3. I guess as I look back on that chapter and realize why so much of it resonated deep in my heart is because I want to be a person of Integrity. My actions show the type of person I am, and if my actions do not show that of integrity then I do not succeed in being a person of integrity. I love the quote that said "Though you cannot go back and make a brand-new start, my friend. Anyone can start from now and make a brand-new end." Although I cannot go back and change my actions that may have hurt others or myself I can choose to take those moments and let them become growing situations. I guess that's just one of the many reasons why I am humbled by all of the things I'm learning in Lay Leadership.
Check back periodically for the next Lay Leadership post!
-Tiffany
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