The Strength of a Leader

Hebrews 13:9. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace…

The first of two seemingly opposite concepts in this verse is “strength.” Getting strong is a big industry in the United States. Pelaton’s revenues in a recent year totaled $3.58 billion. Yes, that’s “billion” with a “b!” Wowzah, am I the only person on the planet that doesn’t have one? ...And, obviously, they’re not the only company in the business. Morning television and late-night paid programs focus largely on physical workouts, exercise, and aerobics. Physical Trainers help individuals work out safely and consistently.

If we’re ever weak, the writer of Hebrews would be like a Spiritual Trainer, basically saying “Work Out!” As Insignia's ministry leaders, we must heed this call. Regularly.

To us, God is saying that if we don’t work out and stay strong, we’ll have spiritual atrophy. We’ll be fat! If we want spiritual power in our lives, we need spiritual workouts. Being in a small group, having a prayer partner, giving our money and volunteering our time are all ways we can have a spiritual workout. It’s what burns the fat calories of the world around us and shapes us spiritually.

The second concept here is “grace” which goes against how we’ve been trained. We are not unlike seals in that we’ve been trained to perform. If we do well at work, we’ll get paid. If we did well in school, we got a good grade. We understood what it took to get on a teacher’s “good side.” Parents of adolescent kids know how they get on our good side in order to get car keys or weekend privileges.

We can never be more on God’s good side than we are today. We can’t earn His love more. We can’t get closer to His inner circle. We can’t perform to earn more blessings. If we’re professionals or type-A achievers, this part of God’s truth may even frustrate us sometimes.

Spending time with God every day—through bible study, prayer, meditation, quiet reflection—strengthens us in our minds, hearts and souls and comforts us in His grace.

Two questions for application today: First of all, do I have a Spiritual Trainer? If not, perhaps I should seek one out. Second, can I build a bridge to someone—or a group of people in my life—by becoming their Spiritual Trainer? And if I’m not ready, how can I get ready? Today is a good day to ask these questions and then take action on the answers.

A Prayer for Leaders: “Oh Lord, help me to be strengthened by your grace in the different areas of my life. Help me to look at them spiritually and honestly ask if I’m in spiritual shape, and help me to take the proper action if I’m not there yet. I do not want to be a leader in Insignia’s ministries without being solidly underneath the umbrella of Your grace, and in Your strength. I trust You and trust Your help, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”