Many of us have heard the sayings “misery loves company” and “smiling is contagious.” Both of these sayings are expressing two different kinds of emotions, people who are gloomy and people who are cheerful. The sayings are different, however, they share the same idea that people often become who they are around. It is essential that those who are attempting to walk in their gift surround themselves with others who are also perfecting their gift.
In a previous post I explained the 10 Signs of a Great Leader. I believe one of the most important aspects of being a great leader is to surround yourself with like-minded people. When we encircle ourselves around like minded people we eliminate jealousy, envy, intimidation, anger and competition.
People who are busy do not have time to worry about what others are doing. Busy people are too focused on what they are trying to obtain that they do not have time to see what you are doing. Have you realized the potential God have placed inside of you? Or have you found yourself watching others perfect their gift?
If you are not busy about improving yourself I can guaranty that jealousy, envy, intimidation, anger, or competition is hidden inside of you. It is not possible to be busy improving yourself and worried about others at the same time. When Jesus was walking on the water and Peter called to him. Jesus told Peter to come to him, Peter was fine until he took his eyes off of Jesus. Once he took his eyes off of the Lord he began to sink. Anytime you are worried about what is happening around you instead of focusing on your walk with the Lord, you’re going to sink. A great leader seeks to improve themselves because they understand Romans 2: 11 “For God does not show favoritism.” God will bless anyone who is working hard.
People who are worried about themselves are constantly facing new challenges. A few weeks ago my sister had a birthday party for my twin nephews at an ice skating rank. I was excited and fearful to attend because this would be my first time on ice skates. I was fearful about trying it but I am learning that in order to be an effective leader I must be open-minded to things that are not harmful to my mind, body, or spirit. In the beginning everything about it was uncomfortable. It took me a little while to get used to the skates, walking in the skates, getting on the ice, skating on the ice, turning on the ice, and even stopping on the ice.
Just when I thought I was getting the hang of it something happened that caused me to lose my balance. My instinct said to grab a hold of my sister but before I grab her she pulled away. Thankfully I was able to get my balance on my own without falling! After I got my balance and while we were both laughing and smiling, our conversation went a little like this:
Me: You were going to let me fall?
Her: It doesn’t do either one of us any good for both of us to fall. Somebody has to be the one to help you get up.
My sister was right. It doesn’t do me any good for her to possibly fall with me. But it is helpful for me to have her there to help me up if I fall. The bible speaks of this very idea in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
When you are perfecting your gift you are going to experience new challenges and you may fall. Anyone who has ever worked hard has failed at some point. There is nothing wrong with failing as long as you understand that you are only a failure if you stop trying. When you are around like-minded people they understand the struggles you are faced with and they will be able to help you get back up when you fall.
In every area that we could possibly fall we can redeem ourselves except life. Life is the only thing that we cannot get back once it is taken from us. We can make more money, buy more clothes, and so on but we cannot get back yesterday. In John 10:10 Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Are you chasing after the abundantly life Jesus died for you to have, or are have you become a spectator of life?
www.christianmarriagehq.com challenge: God has more for you then what you have right now. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says this:
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived” [a] —
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
Do you want to do more with your life? Set your mind on things above and begin to perfect your gift.
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