In this episode, Lance exposes the dangers of a hurried, busy leader’s life and what we hope it to be, but it really is not. He juxtaposes busyness with a slowed down leadership style and how powerful that is for those who have leadership responsibilities.

Notes:

What do I mean by leadership?

• Within the Gateway context, leadership is - “developing culture and people through relationship, with integrity”.

• John Maxwell calls leadership as “influence”.

• Jim Collins says, “Leadership only exists if people follow when they would otherwise have the freedom to not follow.”

Embrace the work of God before you engage the work of God.

• The inner work of character formation.

• The inner work of developing leadership core competencies.

• The inner work of compassion and increased capacity to love and lead.

Engage the work of God.

• The calling of God.

• The purpose for your life.

• Serving one another and elevating the quality of life of those around you.

“In ‘The Table of Inwardness', Calvin Miller stresses that intimacy with God cannot be rushed, and that we cannot enjoy the presence of God if we are always looking at our watches.”

- Dawn, Marva J.. Keeping the Sabbath Wholly: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting . Eerdmans Publishing Co - A. Kindle Edition.

“35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

— Matthew 9:35-38, The Passion Translation

Busyness does not equal:

1. Busy lives does not equal fruitful lives.

2. Busy lives does not equal meaningful lives.

3. Busy lives does not equal intentional lives.

4. Busy lives does not equal leaving a legacy.

5. Busy lives does not equal being present with another.

6. Busy lives equal busy lives.

Walking is subversive.

1. The fruit of walking is that it allows you to build intimacy.

2. The fruit of walking is that it allows you to see others.

3. The fruit of walking is that it allows you to smell, taste, touch and feel the reality that’s going on around you.

4. The fruit of walking is that it offers accountability.

5. The fruit of walking is that it offers you growth in empathy and compassion.

6. The fruit of walking is that it allows space for the outworking of God’s Spirit in your life.

7. The fruit of walking is that you utilize the microscope for things up close and the telescope to see what’s coming.

8. The fruit of walking is growth.

9. We don’t walk back, we walk forward.

How can we slow down?

1. Practice sabbath keeping.

2. Less multi-tasking.

3. Schedule time for reflection.

4. Set a reminder to walk slowly each day (literally).

5. Slow down your life (drive slower, eat slower).

6. Look people in the eye.

7. Take time to serve a stranger, neighbor or co-worker.

8. Volunteer in a non-profit organization or event.

9. Identify what you enjoy and do it.

10. Spend talking about deeper matters of life with someone you love or enjoy.

11. Say “no” more often.

Resources:

1. Keeping the Sabbath Wholly: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, Feasting by Marva J. Dawn

2. Mistake Leaders Make by Dave Kraft

Credits: Music - Pumpkin Spice by Audiobinger -- freemusicarchive.org