If it is your desire and vision to have an eternal impact in the marketplace, expect distractions. This would include both in our lives and as the leader within our businesses. What types of things try and entice us away from God’s direction and calling? Let us take a closer look.
Blind Spots
There are no cookie-cutter answers to distractions as they may look different for each of us. However, you can rest assured that if you are truly driven each day to have a heavenly impact, you will face temptations. These are distractions, trying to draw your attention away from succeeding. A form of distraction can include blind spots in our lives. Blind spots are things we cannot see, even when they are right in front of us. Even with our good intentions, our blind spots can actually turn into a distraction. Our blind spots can also detract from others seeing Christ in us. An example of a blind spot could be the way we treat others that we lead. If we are driving hard towards a goal but our interactions with those we are leading come across harsh or disrespectful, this could be a blind spot standing in your way of eternal impact.
Examine Our Hearts
As leaders, we ought to examine our hearts each day. In the process of doing so, ask God to reveal if there is anything in our life that does not line up with leading in a God Honoring way. (Psalm 139: 23-24) In addition, we should be open to the counsel of others. (Proverbs 15:22) As leaders, we may not spend much time thinking about the word accountability for ourselves, but is likely a necessary component in an eternally successful leader’s life. A wise counselor would include those we have allowed closest to us, who have the courage to speak truth into our lives. This could even be a business related peer advisory group. Be sure they also aspire to Honor God and put Him first, both in their lives and in their businesses. These wise counselors want us to succeed, with a focus on an eternal impact.
Attacks of Others
Another distraction comes in the form of personal attacks. As we aspire to be God’s stewards, and live for His direction and purposes, we will at times experience personal attacks. Others who fear what we believe will try to discredit our efforts. As the Apostle Peter reminds us, we are not to be intimated by threats of others if we remain deeply committed to what is heavenly good. Trust and honor Christ in your heart as Lord. This will serve as a compass, and help give us direction for our lives and our businesses. In doing so, if anyone asks us the reasons for our direction, decisions, or values, gently tell them in a respectful way. (1 Peter 3: 13-15) Do not fear what others who are not living for God fear. Like Nehemiah, we are not to let others discourage us, but stay focused on what God has set us apart to do. Do not fear man, but only God.
Monday Morning
In Romans 10:9, Paul encourages the people to believe in Christ and confess or acknowledge Him as Lord in their lives. As we align our lives and our businesses with Him, we gain direction, meaning, and eternal purposes for our work. As a leadership assessment, would others observe or know that there is something different in the way we are leading, the direction of our team or our company? I encourage us to take the time this week to reflect on this question.
When we have the courage to acknowledge Him as Lord, move in the direction He has given our businesses in the Marketplace, we can positively impact eternity. We have a chance to inspire others toward the same hope we have within us. As CEOs, business owners, and leaders, opportunities will present themselves to give direction. As we do, we can have both direct and indirect impacts on eternity by the words that we say and the way we operate our businesses. God can accomplish His Will and Purposes through us if we are willing to courageously act as His Stewards.
If you would like to go deeper on these subjects and ways to bring Glory to the Father, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at randy.earnst@we-r-stewards.com, or visit our website at www.we-r-stewards.com
