Servant Resources

Corporate Turnaround Artist - Part 3

Principle 1 – Begin by committing to do what is right

Principle 2 – Stay on track by observing six spiritual disciplines

Principle 3 – Address moral issues first

 

Once Hezekiah assured that his inner spiritual foundation was firm, his first outward action was to speak to the moral issues of the day. This holds true for us as well; whether you are leading a ministry or from within the broader marketplace of goods and services.

 

The way that Hezekiah addressed the moral issues of his day was to deal with all of the icons and images that had been erected in the lives of the people.  From the narrative of his life, we learn of 4 primary examples of moral issues that have implications in today’s world. Each of these represents a particular concern that must be addressed in the broader view of what is occurring within your organization. Let’s start by looking at the first two:

 

Altars

An altar is a place where sacrifices are made. People today make all kinds of sacrifices that ultimately hinder them in the long run. One may sacrifice family on the altar of career, another may sacrifice what is right on the altar of expediency and yet another may sacrifice truth on the altar of corporate politics. What are the altars that you see in the lives of those for whom you have stewardship? What are the sacrifices they are making that may have short-term accomplishment, but not long-term victory for themselves or for the organization?

 

Stones

Stones typically are depicted having one of two purposes in scripture; that of providing direction and that of remembrance.  Two of the most significant stones in Israel’s history actually had names. They were called the Urim and the Thummin.  Exodus 28:30 tells us that these stones were part of the breastplate that Aaron wore as high priest. The stones were to be placed over his heart so that he would always bear the means for making decisions for the Israelites over his heart as he stood before the Lord.

 

How do you make decisions within your organization? The way that decisions are made is more important than the actual decision itself. If you make decisions based on emotion or incorrect information, the end result will be a decision that is not founded in reality. The thinking that goes into decisions is based on your values. Values are something that you recognize, not something you dream up. As a Christian leader, your values should be based on scripture.

 

Stones were also used when the Israelites wanted to remember something of great significance. They would gather up large stones and place them in a pile at the location of a great work of God. The purpose was to serve as a reminder to themselves and those that followed behind them.

 

In other words, they were passing along a legacy. Their legacy was the work of God in their lives, and the lesson was to remember that if God responded to a need in history, he will certainly be faithful to meet our needs in the future.

 

What is the legacy you are leaving behind for others to remember and follow? Is it a legacy of wise decisions, concern for people, a life portraying the fruits of the Holy Spirit and one of encouragement and hope? Each of us will leave behind some kind of stones of remembrance, let’s be sure that we are remembered for the right things.

Corporate Turnaround Artist - Part 2

Principle 1 – Begin by committing to do what is right

Principle 2 – Stay on track by observing six spiritual disciplines

Hezekiah implemented 6 spiritual disciplines that assisted him in carrying out his objective to turn around a nation.

The first discipline is the pursuit of God. Hezekiah was a man who sought after God so that he might know the mind of the Lord for him. What soldier goes off to battle without first hearing the strategy and objectives from his superior officer? Hezekiah did not begin with his own dreams; he began with hearing from God about what God desired. We come to know his heart and plans as we spend focused time in conversation with him.

The second discipline is working wholeheartedly. How easy it is to work with a divided heart. Part of what we desire is to serve the Lord, yet there are other issues that capture our attention. Like a river redirected from its course, this serves only to divert the full power and authority of the Lord. Personal ambition can draw energy away, so can allowing an injured spirit to grow into a root of bitterness, likewise unchecked sinful actions or attitudes. We must guard our heart with great intensity.

The third discipline is that of trust. To fully trust the Lord means that we take no action of our own accord. We do not step in to force something along simply to bring resolution. There are times when we must simply wait to see how God is going to act. How often do we step in to bring a solution and in the process miss out on the miracle that he would have brought? Do we hinder all that could be by our ravenous appetite for action?

The fourth discipline is holding fast.  When the inevitable storms of opposition come, he calls us to stay the course. Holding fast is different than holding on. If you are simply enduring your circumstances, putting up with them until the storm passes, you’re holding on. But if you are steadfast in your commitment and purposing in your heart to stay true to what is right regardless of the pressure to swerve away, you are holding fast.

The fifth discipline is to not cease to follow. The pursuit of God that comprises the first disciple is something that must continue. The experience of many is to begin well, but not finish with the same energy they started with. This is a daily, ongoing task of staying true to listen to his voice.  Continual focus allows us to receive updates and course corrections along the way.

The sixth discipline is to keep the commands of the Lord.  It is not enough for our actions to line up with scripture; our attitudes must align as well. The right thing done with the wrong attitude or motivation does not honor the Lord. This is where the leader who draws his values from a biblical basis diverges greatly from one who draws from his own set of values. Biblical values do not shift with changing circumstances; they remain true and clear regardless of the times.

These principles are found in 2 Chronicles 31:21 and 2 Kings 18:5,6

Corporate Turnaround Artist – Part 1

Are you responsible for a corporate turnaround, new to a leadership position, or being challenged to step up to another level? The shelves of our bookstores are full of advice on what to do. Often, however, the best place to get perspective is by looking in on the lives of those who have already accomplished what it is you’re faced with.

One such biography comes from the life of a king named Hezekiah. He was a king that inherited a nation in crisis and moral decay. Yet in just a few short years, under his leadership, it became a highly prosperous country whose population lived to enjoy some of the best years in its history.

Hezekiah’s story provides a roadmap of successful principles for us to follow. He lived about 700 years before Christ, and became king at the age of 25. His era of leadership followed one of great moral decay. Seeing the devastation caused by the nation turning loose from its ethical moorings, he purposed in his heart to follow the ways of God.

The biblical narrative beginning in 2 Chronicles 29, tells us that Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. This is the first principle, and appears to be obvious, yet I fear it escapes the attention it deserves in driving change. Hezekiah committed himself to do what was right, regardless of the decay around him or how far the nation had fallen. He was not given to shortcuts or playing political games. He set himself apart from his father’s reign by building his leadership on a foundation of service to God.

Hezekiah did not look back to his father’s leadership other than to see what not to do. Sometimes that’s all we can gain from negative leadership experiences. Now you know what not to do. You don’t have to dwell on it or become angry and bitter about how you were treated or what you experienced. Simply use it as a learning experience and move on to what the Lord would have you do.

Hezekiah’s commitment to doing what was right was so exceptional that he was liked to the leadership of King David. The scriptures say that his leadership was patterned after his “father” David. What significant godly leader can you point back to for your own style? Hezekiah had never even met David, as he had lived so long before him. But he had heard and read the stories of his life before God and patterned his leadership after David’s model.

Draw encouragement from those who have finished successfully before you. See that their focus on doing what was right brought about significant change in their own lifetime and beyond. Commit yourself to being that kind of leader, regardless of the condition of what you’ve been given to lead.

To do what is right in the eyes of the Lord requires you to build a strong spiritual relationship with him as a foundation. If you are not fully walking in his ways, how can you be sure that what seems right to you is truly right in his eyes?

The scriptures warn us that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Lead your people to life!

He is Near

When I lived in France, a good friend gave me a hand-made bible cover. It simply said; “The Lord is near” (in French of course). That particular phrase is found in 9 scripture verses, so I’m not sure which one it was focusing on. And it really matters little which exact one was being quoted.

 

It’s the thought that counts. And the thought is that God is near to us. I liken it to being in a dark place where there is no light. You have the inability to see, because the eye needs light to illuminate images. Without the light, there is really no seeing possible.

 

In a similar way, we often do not “see” God, even though he is right there next to us.

 

Don’t rely on your sight to prove it to you. Rely on your spirit. If you quiet yourself in the moments of turmoil, you will be able to sense that he is there, that he is near.

Turning Back

The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle; Psalm 78:9

 

There is a danger; in having the tools that God provides each of us, and not using them for their intended purpose. Most biblical scholars believe that these men “turned back” when they allowed the Ark of the Covenant to be brought out its holy place and into battle against the Philistines. (See 1 Samuel 4).

 

In their turning, they lost a great deal. They lost the ark, and when it was returned to Israel, it never came back to the tribe of Ephraim. That was a significant loss for them as the location of the Ark carried with it a special blessing of God and was a tremendous honor. In setting aside the weapons God had given them, they turned away from the victory he had for them.

 

Today is the day of battle for many. People are being attacked from all sides. Hope and joy are hard to find. Yet in the midst of difficulty, if you will put what he has given you to use, it will be a source of blessing to others; and you will benefit as well.