Ijust got off the phone with Abby, a close friend and fellow Maverick. Reminding me of the grace God has extended us, Abby gently invited me to offer grace to a challenging individual. I was humbled once again.
I was suddenly struck by how often I have rubbed God the “wrong way”! I suspect you can relate. This truth once again resonated – that because of Grace extended to us, we can extend ourselves to “do good”, to serve and bless those around us; inside and outside of the kingdom. As John communicates in 1 John 4:19, “We love each other, because He first loved us.” NLT, we extend grace to those around us because He first extended grace to us.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9-10 that we are called to “do good” – to extend grace to those inside and outside His kingdom.
About 120 leaders gathered last Friday, May 6th, in Guelph, for the annual global Leadercast conference. Our team chose to host the conference for our city of Guelph. As you can imagine, the volume of work it represented over the last few months was, at times, almost overwhelming.
Reflecting on the day, much “good was done”. The leaders present felt inspired again in the privilege and responsibility of serving others. They left reminded to “go and do good.”
There is something beautiful and good that happens when God’s principles are brought before people who are open to “hearing”. Here are a few examples of “good” reminders that came from some of the speakers last Friday.
- Kat Cole, President Cinnabon Reflecting on the need for leaders to “stay close to the action” if they are serious about leading well.
- “I may have lost my sight, but I didn’t lose my vision.” Bill McDermott’s, CEO SAP, reflection after losing his left eye from an accident.
- “What corner are you in?” Psychologist and author Henry Cloud’s reflection on the 4 types of emotional connections a leader has with self and others: none, bad, pseudo or real.
- “Play without a safety net!” Rorke Denver’s, Navy Seal Commander, reminder that leadership is about being “all in”.
- Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., “Let’s do it and not just talk about it.”
- Andy Stanley, Pastor & Author, and his not-so-subtle nudge to “Lead With Clarity”.
- James Brown, CBS Broadcaster, reminded us of the need for character – “Depth before height!”
“Doing good” takes effort, energy, time, money and more. God extended Himself to the full on our behalf. His grace and goodness has impacted us all far more than we can ever know! He has called us to extend ourselves for the good of all people.
A Maverick Application:
- Read and reflect on Galatians 6:9-10.
- What may have kept you from “doing good” in the past?
- What “good” is He calling you to do today?
- Let’s be the Mavericks He has called us to be and “go and do good.”
