Last week we talked about serving in leadership with an authentic heart. Tell me, how did your week’s challenge of focusing on any areas where you may have been offering those you lead nothing more than the word “incredible” go? I’m eager to hear if you picked up on any patterns!
This week I want to talk about serving in leadership with excellence.
I led a session on this last year at the Ministry Online: A Woman Inspired Conference. During my research for this particular session, Embedding Excellence, I came across the following verses:
- Proverbs 22:29 : “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.”
- Daniel 6:3 : “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors… because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”
What do two things do these scriptures have in common?
- Serving with excellence
- Serving the king
Ladies, when we give the Lord our very best in leadership, He takes notice. These verses are speaking about earthly kings, but don’t doubt for a second that our Heavenly King doesn’t take notice as well!
I am reminded of the Parable of the Talents.
Are we living up to what has been entrusted to us?
Do we want to be a group of women who serve before THE King with a spirit of excellence?
I know I do!
I’ve made it a point to identify 5 major enemies of excellence leaders often struggle with. (I know there are more that could be pin-pointed. These 5 hit home the hardest in my experience.)
- Pride- pretty self explanatory
- Perfectionism – relying on ourselves instead of God
- Complacency – lacking a proactive approach
- Working Outside Our Giftedness – because we are capable of something does not mean we are called to do that very something!
- Lack of Boundaries – no clear boundaries? Excellence won’t last for long.
If you were to look at that list, which of these 5 enemies of excellence are you most likely to battle? How can you combat this struggle with the Word of God as your sword?
- Your challenge this week is to cultivate a spirit of excellence in the areas you lead.
- Ask the Lord to stir up an excellent spirit in you – that you would be faithful with what has been entrusted to your care.
- Identify which of these enemies of excellence you most struggle with and focus on praying that thing out of here!
Next week, we’re going to get a little more in depth on each enemy of excellence (a reason why knowing which is most likely to make an appearance in your own life will be beneficial) and how we can combat each one with purpose.
I’m so excited to get this ball rolling, ladies!
Other posts in this series:
About Kristen
Wow – all 5 hit home – right at the heart, but I would say that my worst one I battle on a daily basis is pride. Thank you for this series.
Kristen:
Honestly, I struggle with them all at different times, but most recently I would say “lack of boundaries” has been the issue most prominent. I’m doing too much, and I’m finally realizing I can’t do it all. I know that sounds over-simplified, but it’s true. My life is pretty full and doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. I only have so many free hours in my day to accomplish my exterior pursuits (those ministries somewhat exclusive from my family time).
When the schedule gets off kilter (which is frequent), so do I. I need better organization of my time and pick a couple of things and do them well.
I so want to serve my King with excellence and will keep this in mind throughout the week as I endeavor to be his hand-maiden!
peace~elaine
I would have to say they all hit home, but the perfectionism is one I have been really trying to work on. Once when I was a teen I was undergoing interview training. They once told us that if someone asks us, “What’s the worst thing about you?” We were to say, “Perfectionist” Because if being a perfectionist is the worst thing about you, you are doing well. Perfectionism is looked at as a plus for a job, etc.
Well, that has stuck in my head all of these years. It has formed the ways I think about myself in that I feel like if that is the worst thing about me, I am okay. I assure you that is not the worst thing about me and it is also not a good thing. I am a sinner and being a perfectionist is not an okay thing. It means that I believe I am the only one who can make things perfect and we all know what a joke that is. As you can tell, I am working on it
Thankfully, I know the only perfectionist and His grace will cover my imperfections.
Blessings,
Amy
Yes, I struggle with these five at different points, and they don’t have any place in me when I’m striving to serve God with excellence.
The parable of the talents is something that I’ve often thought about and it’s been a huge encouragement to me to press on and be and do all that God has for me.
Thanks for this series, Kristen!
Hugs!
I’d also have to say I’ve struggled with all 5 at various times in my life. Right now boundaries would have to be my biggest. I’ve allowed to many deadlines to hit a once in every area of my life.
In a way, complacency is also showing itself right now because if I had been more proactive in planning ahead I might not be in the pickle I’m in right now.
Thanks for this study, Kristen. I know it’s going to help me a lot.
Let’s just say that boundaries is number five on an ever-present list. I could handle last week, but now you are really hitting home, Kristen!
I am so grateful to be pushed out of these sinful areas. I will be praying over these. Thank you so much for your words!
Given I have found myself to be very task-oriented, my expectations have been geared toward perfectionism. A complaining heart has been the result of that and yes, all because I have relied far too much on myself. I know better, right? Interesting how circumstance can affect how one leads when one relies too much on one self.
This is good stuff. I’m grateful to be challenged in this area.
I am really struggling with two of those now and as I take the steps over the next few weeks to deal with them I am scared yet excited. It’s an interesting place to be.
What challenge this is. But I know I am going to be better because of it.
I have to pick only one?!
My top two are pride and perfectionism, although complacency (due to fear) is a close third.
I love this series, Kristen. Thank you!