WHEN DO GOOD LEADERS FINALLY "ARRIVE"?

Getting there, wherever that is, looms large to young ones headed out into the wonderful world of ministry. We can't wait to get our wings of effectiveness coupled with assumed respect. No longer climbing our way up; but rather, finding ourselves perched atop of the success mountain is a seemingly compulsory goal. My being down the road a piece from you younger whipper-snappers, I share my experience hoping you'll be encouraged about your ambition.

I believe a good leader arrives the day he or she realizes there will never be a point of arrival. Certainly this sounds oxymoronic and it is. How often God works backward to our assessment and assumption. We aren't to get somewhere. Rather, we are to become someone.....Jesus. To be Jesus-like is an all-the-time-for-the-remainder-of-our-life course. The good news is it really feels good to reach such a redefined conclusion because:

• It is an accurate assessment.
• It releases cumbersome and self-induced tension as we relax from our own efforts by shifting to the Holy Spirit's.
• It places us in the center of our dreamed position of finally seeing the kind of fruit we had imagined.
• It leaves us as a child wondering just how good can it get as the Spirit is so fascinating in His creativity in/with/through/for us.
• It leaves us young. The Word is true after all....we are newer every day.

Regard yourself alive in the most mesmerizing and enthralling work in all of Creation's Glory. Kings and Rulers only wished for the very life we leaders in the kingdom get to experience day after day after day. Shoulders back! Chin up! March! March intentionally into the center of even more wonder because we arrive...not at an envisioned level...but as a Person!