A post from our archives. From the 8-part series on “Transformation and the Small Business Leader”.
One significant obstacle preventing the transformation of the Christ-following leader is the lie that one can lead oneself and one’s business successfully without the input and help of others... the seduction of alone. I wonder… are you suffering under the same lie?
Last week, I pressed in and asked a business leader a series of pointed and challenging questions regarding his attitude. This leader is very engaged in a number of good and wholesome Christian activities week-in and week-out. Yet his response to me was, “I’ve never had anyone hold me to account for my attitude before. Thank you!”
If you are serious in your desire to grow in Christ, to be transformed... then you must deal with the pervasive seduction of attempting to lead self and business alone. God has intentionally designed community for good. Yet, if you are not careful, you will live in pseudo community...one that is void of the willingness to ask one another needed questions. You will suffer from “communalone” – trying to do life at work and at home alone.
As Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT points out clearly, when you try to do life alone, you find yourself in real trouble.
As Christ-following business owners and leaders we usually, and appropriately, engage in some expression of a Sabbath tradition. Yet, with all the well-intended focus and energy of Sunday morning, Jesus’ promise of “life to the full” (John 10:10 NIV) for many, remains relatively untapped on Monday morning. Somehow the God-life on Sunday is lost in the translation as we engage in the business life on Monday.
One of the most important decisions my wife and I made over 30 years ago, is one that profoundly impacted our growth in Christ. We decided that, God-willing, no matter where we were living, no matter what we were doing or what challenges we were facing, we would ensure that we were surrounded by a community of godly men and women. We knew that, left to our own devices and the limits of our own thinking, we would absolutely miss out on God’s best for our lives.
We refused to suffer from “communalone”? How about you?
The apostle Paul was not fooling around when he wrote to the Philippian Christians. His charge to them was clear: choose the attitude of Christ. Unequivocally he invited them into the kingdom way of relating to one another. Read his words in Philippians 2:1-5 NLT.
A Deliberate Application:
Reflect on Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. When is the last time you asked a godly leader to provide input and perspective on your life, leadership and business?
Which of the following best describes your life:
One surrounded by godly men and women who, appropriately, have your permission to ask you anything?
One that is suffering from “communalone”?
3. What is God saying to you as you reflect?
4. Who can you share this with?
