Many leaders live in tomorrow—and miss the blessings of today.  While looking ahead and solving problems is a needed component of leadership, it can lead to a lack of appreciation for what is. Serving leaders learn to lead with gratitude. Consider Paul’s leadership:

³³ Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. ³⁴ Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” ³⁵ After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. ³⁶ They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves (Acts 27:33–36, NIV).

Paul was one of 275 passengers on this boat during a life-threatening storm. He has no position or title but leads the crew and passengers with his words of encouragement. Then, he pauses to give thanks—a powerful picture of leading with gratitude.

Leading with gratitude is a choice.

Paul took bread and “gave thanks to God in front of them all.” What could he give thanks for in this crisis? All around him was fear of the future and a sense of doom. We don’t know what he said, but perhaps he gave thanks that they were still alive, that they had bread to eat, and that they were not alone in the storm. Perhaps he thanked God for His presence or for the vision that gave him much hope a few days earlier. But whatever he said, Paul chose to give thanks. The choice to express gratitude refocused his attention and all those around him on their blessings instead of their fears.   

Some leaders look around and see problems on every side. They call their team for a meeting to solve the problems and address the issue. They have no time to stop and give thanks. But serving leaders choose to look beyond the problems and give thanks for what is good. Even when they lead a meeting to address challenges, they begin by publicly giving thanks as Paul did. They lead with gratitude.  

Leading with gratitude is concrete.  

Paul’s gratitude led to a concrete tangible action, “he broke it and began to eat.” He acknowledged that the sailors and passengers were physically hungry and would need some energy. He also understood that two weeks of watching the wind and the waves had taken an emotional toll and brought a sense of helplessness. So, he invited them to take a small but significant step of action over their own future.

Some leaders pause to give thanks, but don’t invite others to act on their gratitude. But serving leaders use gratitude as a call to action. They invite their team to give to others, to volunteer for a project or to write a note of appreciation. They lead with gratitude. 

Leading with gratitude is contagious.

Paul’s gratitude was contagious, “they were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.” Paul’s actions changed the atmosphere on the boat as people ate together for the first time in weeks. An attitude of gratitude is contagious; it impacts the lives of others and helps them to also give thanks.

All leaders impact others with their attitudes. Some leaders focus on the problems and ignore what is good. (They would do well to wear a mask that kept their attitude to themselves!) But serving leaders seek to have an attitude of gratitude and share it with everyone in the room. They lead with gratitude. 

For further reflection and discussion:

• Is my natural impulse to look at what could be or to be grateful for what is? How does this impact my leadership?
• In what current circumstances do I need to stop and focus on gratitude? How can I do this publicly?
• What can I do to demonstrate my gratitude in concrete ways? In what ways can I call my team to actions that express gratitude?
• What attitudes are spreading under my own leadership? What can I do to make a greater positive impact?           

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll focus on incarnational leadership, a Christmas theme.

Healthy leaders understand that their heart shapes everything they do. They pay attention to their emotions—not to be ruled by them, but to guide them in the right direction. Great leaders don’t suppress emotions; they shepherd them. Our heart can be guided in the right direction. Consider these scriptures:  

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me (John 14:1, NIV).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7).

Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path (Proverbs 23:19).

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5–6)

These verses make it clear that we have a responsibility to guide our hearts and emotions. How can we guide the direction of our heart?

We guide our heart by refusing its wrong directions.

Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” He addressed their fear of the future and anxiety over His departure. But His words clearly indicate that we have the power and the responsibility to refuse to live with emotions that take us in the wrong direction.    

Some leaders learn to acknowledge their emotions but do not make any effort to change them. They might say to their team, “That’s just the way I feel and nothing is going to change it.” But serving leaders identify emotions that take their heart in the wrong direction and they refuse to dwell there. They say, “That’s the way I feel, but I’m not going to move in that direction!”

We guide our heart by replacing its wrong directions.

Jesus’ words to the disciples implied that the way to be set free from their troubled hearts was to focus on their belief in Him. Paul makes the same point clear when he talks about anxiety in Philippians. He recognizes that when our emotions lead us in the wrong direction it is not enough to refuse the wrong emotion, it must be replaced with another.  So, he instructs us to replace anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving. Focusing on prayer with thanksgiving will result in “the peace of God” replacing anxiety. It is difficult to be anxious and thankful at the same time!

Some leaders acknowledge that their emotion is not healthy, but don’t do the hard work of replacing it with a better one. But serving leaders ask God to help them find a replacement for that emotion. They are willing to spend time in prayer or giving thanks when they feel anxiety welling up within them.

We guide our heart by redirecting it in the right direction.

 How does this apply to our emotions and hearts? Not only are we invited to refuse to allow our emotions to go in the wrong direction and to replace specific emotions as Paul instructed, but the writer of Proverbs invites us to redirect our hearts on the right path. A path implies a direction that continues over time leading to a destination. Finding the right path happens as we learn to “trust in the Lord with all your heart…lean not on your own understanding…submit to him.” This is a lifelong process of learning to put our trust in the Lord and to submit to His ways. We learn to submit our hearts and emotions to Him, openly acknowledging what we feel but then submitting those feelings to Him and asking for His power to set our emotions on the right path.

Some leaders try to change their hearts on their own by sheer willpower or effort. They tell themselves, “I won’t get angry again!” But serving leaders acknowledge that without God’s help, their hearts will not follow the right path. They submit their emotions to Him and find the right path. They cry out, “God, I don’t want my heart to follow a path of anger, please redirect my emotions to your path.”

 Effective leaders pay attention to the condition of their hearts and take the journey towards emotional health. This allows them to lead others from a place of peace instead of anxiety.

For further reflection and discussion:

• In what ways has my leadership been led by my emotions? (If you are unsure, ask a trusted friend for their input.)
• Have I viewed my emotions as within my control or out of my control? How has this impacted my leadership?
• What emotions do I experience regularly that take me in the wrong direction? How aware am I of how these emotions impact my life and leadership? Who receives the greatest impact of these emotions?
• What replacements could I make for these emotions? Are there actions I could take that would help to replace these emotions with more helpful ones?   
• What is the general “path” of my emotional health, is it heading in the right direction or the wrong direction? How is this a reflection of my capacity to not lean on my own understanding, but submit to God?
• In addition to the verses mentioned in this issue, read and reflect on the following verses about the heart: Deuteronomy 6:5-6; Psalm 37:4, 42:5, 51:10, 119:11; Proverbs 4:23, 23:17, 24:17; Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 6:21; Colossians 3:15.     How do these verses deepen my understanding about how to guide my heart?     

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll begin a new series!

If you want a single document with all three issues of this series, click here.

Note: Some of the thoughts for this series were inspired by the book, The Wholehearted Leader, by Simon and Ceri Harris.  The book focuses primarily on the emotions of the heart and their impact on leadership. While the biblical view of the heart is broader than emotions, it certainly includes emotions, which is often overlooked in leadership. The book offers great insight on how leaders can lead with healthy hearts.

Leaders influence and impact the realm where they have authority. This may be at home, in their office or department, in the church they lead or in the business they operate. They naturally feel a sense of ownership of that entity, especially if they founded the organization or business*. But serving leaders recognize that the business is not their business. They view their business as reflected in the following scriptures.  

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Ps. 24:1, NIV). 

‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty  (Haggai 2:8).  

⁶I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. ⁷So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).     

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7).  

Serving leaders see themselves as stewards rather than owners, they surrender ownership of their business/organization and it deeply impacts the way they lead.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging God’s ownership.   

God loudly declares that everything in the world is His! The land and the financial resources all belong to Him. This includes property deeds, bank accounts, property, equipment, etc. God allows His people to use His property for the time that they are alive. Serving leaders recognize that they are simply stewards of what He has entrusted to them. They seek to be responsible and faithful for what they have to manage whether little or much.  

Some leaders see themselves as owners and work in the business to bring profit to themselves. They take full responsibility for all that happens and focus on success as they define it. But serving leaders acknowledge God’s ownership. They are grateful for the opportunity to manage the organization and seek to do it with excellence. But they do not carry the weight and pressure of ownership. They find peace in being stewards.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging others’ contributions.  

Paul openly acknowledged that his success was dependent on the contributions of others. He “planted” but Apollos “watered” and ultimately God was the one “making it grow.”  

Some leaders only recognize their own contributions and tie their effort to the success of the organization. They start early and stay late because they think that without their diligence the organization will fail. But serving leaders acknowledge that success is not the result of one person’s efforts, but the work of a team. They gladly point out the contributions that others are making to the organization’s growth and ultimately give God the credit for the healthy growth they experience.  

Serving leaders surrender the organization by acknowledging their gifts.     

Paul acknowledged that he planted seeds that produced fruit. But he also recognized that the gifts he possessed were a gift from God, not something he produced on his own. Some leaders see themselves as superior to others and take credit for their own gifts. But serving leaders acknowledge their gifts as a blessing from God. They do not minimize how they are gifted, but they also do not take personal credit for that which they have received.   

Remember, it’s not your business! Serving leaders serve their organizations by surrendering ownership.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• How do I view ‘my’ organization, as mine or God’s? Do I feel pressured to make things happen and tie the success of my organization to my value as a person? How can I daily live in the reality that it all belongs to God?  
• When I reflect on the success experienced in my organization, do I look first at my own contributions, or do I focus on the contributions of others? How can I acknowledge the contributions of my team this week?  
• Reflect on Paul’s words, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” This week, how can I thank those who invested in my own growth and development? (Think about teachers, mentors, persons who opened doors for you, introduced you to significant relationships, those who believed in you before you produced results, etc.)  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

*Note: In this series we’ll use “business” to apply to any type of organization whether for profit or non-profit. The principles of this series apply to for-profit enterprises, non-profits (such as churches or NGO’s) and any other domain of work and service.   

In the next issue, we’ll examine how serving leaders shape the business.  

We have already observed that Boaz was a “man of standing.” His character shaped his leadership actions in the way he treated others well and in the way he treated the weak. His generous giving also reflected his character. Twice in the story Boaz gave generously to Ruth.  

¹⁴ At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. (Ruth 2:14, NIV).  

¹⁵ He also said, “Bring me the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he poured into it six measures of barley and placed the bundle on her. Then he went back to town. (Ruth 3:15).  

Boaz shared his meal with Ruth in the field and later gave her a generous gift of grain, as much as she could possibly carry! And Ruth was not the only person who benefited from his heart of generosity. There were others also who enjoyed the meal with Boaz and other women who were working in the field. Boaz was able to give generously because his heart was focused on serving. His generosity is an example to all serving leaders.  

Serving leaders give generously as they focus on others instead of themselves.  

As Boaz sat down to his meal, he could have simply thanked God that he had food. But he looked around and saw that Ruth had nothing to eat. So, he shared generously with her, giving his best, not the leftovers. His focus was not on his own needs but on the needs of others.  Many leaders focus on themselves as they lead. They think about their own goals, their own agenda and see others as a means to help them accomplish their ends. But serving leaders look at their role as an opportunity to serve those they lead. They focus on others before themselves. Their focus is outward not inward.  

Serving leaders give generously as they focus on giving instead of getting.  

Boaz owned the field and rightly expected a harvest. But his focus was on giving instead of getting. He saw the grain as something that would not only meet his needs but allow him to give to others like Ruth. He likely knew that givers also receive in return, but his motive was simply to give out of a generous heart. Many leaders are in roles of leadership for what they can get out of it. This may be financial rewards, prestige, a sense of control or a love of power. But serving leaders lead to give. They don’t measure success by what they get but rather by what they can give. Their focus is giving not getting.  

Serving leaders give generously as they focus on abundance instead of scarcity.  

Boaz did not look at his harvest and think that giving would bring loss to him. He did not think that sharing his lunch would make him go hungry. He had a mindset of abundance. He recognized that there is enough for all and that sharing brings blessing instead of scarcity. Little did he know at this point that he would gain a wife and a place in Israel’s history from his generosity. But Boaz had already learned that leaders who give also gain. Many leaders find it difficult to give because they see resources as scarce. They think that if they give, they won’t have enough for themselves. These leaders only give if they feel that they have more than enough. Leaders with this mentality seldom get enough to give! But serving leaders see a world of abundance. They find blessing in giving and experience the joy of receiving as well. Their giving inspires others to give, and the world begins to flourish in beautiful ways. Their focus is on abundance, not scarcity.  

For further reflection and discussion: 

• Skim the four chapters of Ruth looking for other indications of how Boaz gave generously. What do you observe? In what way can you learn from his example?  
• Am I in leadership because of what I want to get or because of what I want to give? In what way have my actions in the past week reflected this condition of my heart?  
• When I measure success is it based on what I get from my leadership or on what I am able to give? What is a practical way I can use my role to give more generously? What things other than physical resources can I give?  
• Is my focus primarily on abundance or scarcity? How does this impact my generosity? What can I do to increase my focus on abundance?  
• What do I have to give? (Think of something tangible that you can give to someone. This may be an item you own, a gift of time, a financial contribution to someone in need, etc. Find something that you can do to give. Then reflect on what it does to your heart.)  

Until next time, yours on the journey, 

Jon Byler 

In the next issue, we’ll examine how Boaz served by keeping his word.  

Every leader will sooner or later come to a time of a change of leadership. This transition may happen by choice, circumstances, God’s call, or simply the passing of time. So, all leaders are either coming from a transition, working on a current transition, or laying the foundation for a future transition!

As I write, I’m facing a significant transition in my own leadership. So perhaps I’m writing this for my own benefit, but I invite you to discover with me how servant leaders transition. We’ll examine the final transition of Moses’ life where he models the ABC’s of transition: Acknowledge the Realities, Bless the Successor, and Cherish the Relationships.

“¹Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, …. ⁴Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.” ⁵And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. ⁶He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. ⁷Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.  The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over” (Deuteronomy 34:1, 4-8).

One moment Moses was a great leader of an entire nation. The next moment he transitioned to his eternal reward. The first thing servant leaders can learn from his transition is to acknowledge three realities.

Acknowledge the reality of what has been done. Moses had led the nation through some very difficult times. I’m sure as he climbed slowly up the mountain he reflected on the parting of the Red Sea, the 10 Commandments, the water from the rock, and other highlights of his 40 years of leadership. Much had been done.

Servant leaders acknowledge with gratitude to God all that has been accomplished. And when they have led well, much has been done. They are not proud of themselves but are able to celebrate the reality of what God has done!

Acknowledge the reality of what remains undone. God provided Moses with a glimpse of the land promised to his people. I can feel Moses’ pain as he heard God’s words, “You will not cross over into it.” For years Moses had kept the vision alive but now he was leaving, and much was undone.

When servant leaders face transition, they acknowledge that there are things which remain undone. Whether that is because of their own mistakes (as it was with Moses) or simply because the time has come to transition, they accept the reality that much remains undone. They understand that God’s vision is always greater than their own leadership and some aspects will not be achieved before they transition.

Acknowledge the reality of what will be done. As Moses scanned the land of Israel, he could see what would happen after he was gone. Another leader would do what he had not!

This painful reality is not easy for any leader to accept. Some leaders don’t acknowledge the reality that they are growing old! Or that they have done all they can do for the organization. Or that others are needed to step in with new gifts to breathe new life into the vision. But servant leaders learn from Moses to acknowledge this reality when it is time for transition.

Servant leaders in transition celebrate what has been done while acknowledging that God will use another leader to accomplish what remains undone. They acknowledge these realities as they follow God’s direction in transition. They cry out to God to guard their hearts against pride, jealously, or a sense of failure. They are willing to keep serving in the place to which God will lead them.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• In transitions I have observed, how have I seen leaders doing well at acknowledging the realities? How have I seen them not acknowledge realities?     
• In previous transitions in my leadership, how well have I acknowledged what has been done, what remains to be done and what will be done?
• In my current role, what do I need to do today to best prepare to transition well?

In the next issue, we’ll look at the “B” in the ABC’s of transitioning well:

Acknowledge the Realities

Bless the Successor

Cherish the Relationships

David also experienced gratitude, an emotion that can be chosen and cultivated by all leaders.  Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. ²Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. ³Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. ⁴Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. ⁵For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:1-5).

This Psalm is filled with thanksgiving and praise. David is clearly filled with gratitude and invites all of us to join him in being grateful leaders.

Gratitude should be recognized. David identifies his gratitude and chooses to focus his attention on this emotion. David recognizes God’s goodness in His creation and His faithfulness that “continues through all generations.” David is filled with gratitude and calls everyone who listens to be grateful.

While there is always much for which we can be grateful, many leaders choose instead to focus on the struggles and obstacles of their journey. They may focus on the pain of betrayal or the emotion of fear. Or they focus on their ‘to do list’ which seems much longer than the ‘done list.’ So they choose frustration instead of thanksgiving. David chooses to come to God with gratitude. He recognizes that no matter what the circumstances, he can see things for which he is grateful.

Servant leaders learn to recognize the power of gratitude in their leadership and choose to focus on things for which they are thankful. They recognize that those who lead with gratitude are a joy to follow!

Gratitude should be revealed. Like all his emotions, David does not keep gratitude a secret from himself or others. He cries out, “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.” David reveals his gratitude to anyone who will listen! He reveals the reasons he is grateful to the God who made him and the entire universe.

Leaders sometimes think of things for which they are grateful but fail to reveal their gratitude. But servant leaders serve those they lead by expressing gratitude openly. They may write it, say it, or sing it but they always find a way to reveal their gratitude to those around them. They tell their spouse how much they are blessed by their presence. They write a note of appreciation to someone on the team who has done a good job. They publically thank the person who serves even in menial tasks. They are grateful for the contributions of each of their team members and express their thanks openly.

Gratitude should be restrained. We have looked at many emotions that can hinder our leadership when they are not properly restrained. We are called to lead with emotion but not be led by emotions and servant leaders learn the proper balance. But it’s hard to imagine a leader being too grateful!

Perhaps some leaders focus so much on the positive that they are unable to address issues that need attention. Servant leaders do not allow gratitude to keep them from corrections that need to be made. But for more leaders, the danger is in leading without gratitude!

Servant leaders in this situation learn to cultivate and develop the emotion of gratitude. They refuse to allow their leadership to be defined by ingratitude no matter how difficult the challenges they are facing. Like David, they lead their emotions to a place of gratitude! And they serve those around them who are ungrateful with a gentle call to follow them to experience the emotion of gratitude.

Choose today to lead with an attitude of gratitude.

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

For further reflection and discussion:

• Find a blank piece of paper and list everything that comes to your mind for which you are grateful. Turn the list into a prayer of thanks to God. Then reflect on what this does to your soul and record your learnings here.
• To whom should I express gratitude today? What is the best way to express my gratitude to this person or persons? (Verbally, in writing, publically or privately, etc.)
• What steps is God inviting me to take to develop more deeply a grateful heart? (Be specific and then share your list with a trusted friend for accountability.)

Copyright, Global Disciples 2018.

After 13 years of bitter disappointments everything changes for Joseph when he is called by the king to interpret another dream. In the morning he is a prisoner but by evening he’s the prime minister of the most powerful nation on earth! Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt" (Genesis 41:39-41). Now Joseph was a “real leader” with a position, a title and power! At his word people moved! He had authority. He walked in the halls of the palace. He soon had a chariot with a driver, and a beautiful wife. This was a dream job! But for Joseph this could easily be a substitute dream. His dream was to lead his family, not Egypt. With a new identity and position Joseph could easily settle for less than God’s ultimate plan for his life. He could begin to enjoy the prestige of his position, the beautiful wife and children that were a part of his life, and settle for less than the original dream. Servant leaders can learn from Joseph how to avoid substitute dreams.

Acknowledge the past.

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household" (Genesis 41:51). Joseph was trying to forget the pain of his past but God wanted to heal the pain from the past! Substitute dreams can cause leaders to ignore the past. They try to forget the painful times but also forget those who helped them on their journey. Servant leaders don’t seek to escape the past, they look back to remember where they have come from. They find ways to thank and bless those who helped them with education or in their careers.

Appreciate the present.

The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering" (Genesis 41:52). Joseph was able to be grateful for the gifts God gave him in the palace. He appreciated God’s blessings. Servant leaders are grateful for all of God’s blessings. They understand that without God’s blessing, their leadership will accomplish nothing. Even when they have not yet accomplished the dream, servant leaders are filled with gratitude for the blessings God has given them.

Anticipate the future.

We don’t know if Joseph thought often about his dream or if it faded to the background of his life during these 7 years. It would have been easy for Joseph to conclude that leading Egypt was better than leading his family. But the reality was that God was still working to accomplish the dream. And Joseph kept working faithfully, just as he had in Potiphar’s home and in the prison. Servant leaders work to keep the dream alive! They are faithful in whatever situation God allows them to serve but they always focus on the dream God has given to them, not current realities.

Many leaders settle for a substitute dream instead of God’s dream. Church leaders who began with a sincere dream of helping others now use their position to benefit themselves. Business leaders or professionals who started the journey with a dream of impacting the world settle into a comfortable life focused on self. Servant leaders learn from Joseph not to settle for a substitute dream. They ask God to help them acknowledge the past; they appreciate the blessings of the present, but they always keep their eyes on where God wants to take them in the future.

For further reflection and discussion:

• Read the entire account of this portion of Joseph’s life in Genesis 41. What more do I learn from Joseph about his dream?
• In what ways might I be tempted to settle for a substitute dream? Are there ways that I have allowed the benefits and privileges of my current leadership to make me lose my focus on what God wants me to accomplish? Have I drifted slowly towards focusing on those who help me instead of those whom God called me to help?
• Have I run away from the past or forgotten the past? Who from my past hurt me that I need to forgive? Who from my past helped me that I need to thank?
• Have I been grateful for the blessings God has given to me in my current role? Have the things I currently enjoy caused me to lose sight of God’s dream for my life? What needs to change?
• Am I focused on the present realities or the future? What does God have for me that is not yet a reality in my life? What can I do to keep present blessings from causing me to accept a substitute dream?

Daniel’s enemies could find no fault with his excellent job performance or integrity, but they saw his regular prayer as a potential weakness. They appealed to the king’s pride and persuaded him to outlaw Daniel’s prayer. Now he would either die or compromise. Either way, his enemies concluded, they would win. Daniel was again in a crisis. His faith in God and his role with the king seemed to be in direct opposition. With his life on the line, what would he do? Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help (Daniel 6:10-11). In this time of crisis, Daniel chose to lead from his knees and encourages all servant leaders to pray as he did.

He prayed frequently.

Three times a day, Daniel stopped and prayed. Prayer was the central part of Daniel’s day and the source of his strength as a leader. While Daniel’s pattern is not a prescription for all leaders, every leader would do well to begin and end the day with prayer and to pause in the midst of the day for a time to center their life again on the one who calls them to lead. Prayer was the anchor of Daniel’s day. Servant leaders pause frequently to seek God’s direction for their life and leadership.

He prayed consistently.

Daniel prayed “Just as he had done before.” Daniel could easily have rationalized that if he stopped praying for thirty days, God would surely understand! But for Daniel, prayer was not something that he did when it was convenient or when there was a special need; it was his regular habit. His prayer was not only for crisis management; it was an integral part of his life and leadership. Some leaders pray only when there is a crisis; Daniel continued to pray in his crisis. It was his prayer before the crisis that helped him make it through the crisis. It’s not uncommon for leaders to cry out to God when there’s trouble, but servant leaders pray consistently. They allow the regular discipline of prayer to build and strengthen their heart.

He prayed publically.

Daniels prayer life was a private part of his life, but it was also on display for all to see. His prayer was intensely private but evident to all. He was not making a public display to be seen, but he was certainly not ashamed of his life of prayer. Daniel could easily have justified closing the windows to the eyes of those intending to do harm to him, but he boldly continued praying openly. His enemies had no problem finding evidence that he was continuing to pray despite the King’s command. Servant leaders are not ashamed to acknowledge their need for prayer and their practice of prayer. They continue to pray when others are watching; in restaurants, on planes, at home, and in the board room.

He prayed thankfully.

“Giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.” Daniel was certainly “asking God for help,” but he first gave thanks. This was his habit and even when his life was at risk, he paused to thank God. It’s not easy to be continually thankful, especially when others are after our lives! But Daniel found strength in reflecting on God’s goodness to him. Perhaps he thanked God for the opportunity he had enjoyed to serve in the king’s employ for the days he had. Servant leaders give thanks as they pray.

Servant leaders learn from Daniel to kneel before they stand. The source of their leadership strength is a bended knee. They bow to God before expecting others to bow to them or follow their leadership. When they rise from prayer, they have joined their hearts with the one who called them to lead and the one who gives the wisdom and courage they so desperately need.

For further reflection and discussion:

If you don’t know what happened after Daniels prayer, read the rest of the story in Daniel 6!

The passage we examined provides only a brief glimpse into Daniel’s life of prayer. Read and reflect on Daniels prayer in Daniel 9. What do you learn from his prayer that can help you as a leader?

Evaluate your own prayer life in light of the ways that Daniel prayed:

• Frequently. How often do you pray? Does prayer provide the anchor for your day? How often do you begin your day with prayer? End the day with prayer? Pray in the middle of the day?
• Consistently. Is your prayer consistent or only active in times of crisis? What is the result?
• Publically. Is your prayer life open enough that others can see it? Are there situations in which you are afraid to pray openly? What in your heart needs to change?
• Thankfully. Are your prayers heavily flavored with thanksgiving? How much of your prayers are thanksgivings and how much are requests?

What is God inviting you to do this week in response to Daniel’s example of leading on his knees?

The king ordered his death, but after speaking to the king’s messenger with “wisdom and tact,” Daniel called his friends together and urged them to pray that God would reveal the king’s dream. With their lives still hanging in the balance God answered their prayers and revealed the dream to Daniel. He responded to this revelation with heartfelt worship and praise to God (see Daniel 2:19-23) and then went to the king. The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), “Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?” Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:26-28a). With every success, leaders are tempted to take personal credit. But Daniel refused to take any credit for interpreting the king’s dream. His humble response instructs all servant leaders how to give credit where credit is due.

Servant leaders credit God for their gifts.

Daniel was a talented leader who was the best in his training program. From the beginning of his story everyone could see that he was gifted, especially in the area of interpreting dreams and visions (see Daniel 1:17). He could have easily taken credit for these gifts when he responded to the king. Instead he quickly acknowledged that his ability to interpret dreams was not his own. Servant leaders are grateful for the gifts God has given them. They use their education and life experience to become even more skilled at what they do. But when they succeed, like Daniel, they give God credit for their successes. When they look at how many followers they have, how much profit they have made, how many work for them, or other recognitions of accomplishments, they refuse to take the glory. Proud leaders say “Look at what I have done!” while servant leaders say “Look at what God has done.”

Servant leaders credit God for their position.

As a result of interpreting the dream, Daniel was elevated to an even higher position (Daniel 2:48). But Daniel realized clearly that positions are given by God who “sets up kings and deposes them” (Daniel 2:21). Daniel models the way for all servant leaders to recognize that whatever position they hold is a gift from God who can grant a position for a season or for a lifetime. Servant leaders acknowledge that God places them in positions, not their own abilities. Proud leaders say “Look where I have reached!” while servant leaders say, “Look where God has brought me.”

Servant leaders credit God for their influence.

Daniel recognized that God placed him in a position to influence one of the most powerful men on earth. Many leaders would be impressed with themselves and quickly let others know who they met for dinner! But Daniel told the king, “As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind” (Daniel 2:30). He acknowledged that God wanted to influence the king through him, and he was grateful for the opportunity. Proud leaders say, “Look at who I influenced!” while servant leaders say “I’m grateful that God allowed me to influence.”

Successful leaders will be tempted to take credit for their achievements and to pass the blame to others when they fail. Daniel teaches us how to give credit where credit is due…and that is always to God!

For further reflection and discussion:

• Read Daniel’s response of praise to God in Daniel 2:19-23. What does his prayer teach you about giving credit to God?
• Reflect on the ways you have been successful as a leader? How are you tempted to take credit for these successes? After listing them, think more deeply about what you have done. Where did you get the strength, the ideas, the vision, the resources? Read 1 Corinthians 4:7. What does this verse teach you about your success or what you have?
• Write down the gifts, positions, and influence God has given to you. Do those around you see you giving God credit for these?

Greetings to each of you at the end of this year,

In this issue I simply want to convey to you my hope that you and those you serve will experience in a fresh way the impact of Christ’s birth during this Christmas season. The world’s greatest leader was God’s amazing gift to each one of us. His birth was seemingly insignificant; He was born in a manger, in poverty, and with no sign of royalty. Yet, his life has changed the course of history. He has changed my life and yours.

I’m impressed this year with the reality that “Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7). His birth was the beginning, but His life continues to influence with increasing power. He has given each of us the privilege of playing a small role in this increase. He calls you and I to faithfully follow in His footsteps, growing in our own leadership capacity so that His name will be known throughout the earth. May it continue….until the earth is filled with the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

May God bless you as you serve in your family, your church, your business, and in your vocation. It’s a privilege to write to you on a regular basis and I am grateful for the feedback many of you offer. Your thoughts and suggestions for improvement are always welcome! We’ll continue looking at the life of David in the next issue.

Have a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Yours on the journey,

Jon Byler