What Topples Fence Posts
This Week's Theme: Becoming a Coach
Friday, March 2
Key Bible Verse: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23).
Bonus Reading: 1 Peter 5:8-9
When a respected leader implodes ethically, we ask, "How can a person of character suddenly lapse into disregard for morality?" In reality, it's seldom sudden.
Growing up on a farm in Iowa, we drove fence posts into the ground and fastened wire fencing to them to partition the land. From time to time, water would erode the soil around the base of the post, leaving the full post exposed. The post appeared to be holding up the fencing. In reality, the fencing was holding up the post.
At the start, good leaders raise up strong teams. But at some time during the process, if they're not on guard, spiritual and moral erosion can start to weaken their character. Externally, they appear to be holding up the team, but actually, the team is holding them up. Under stress, they cave.
Leaders have a basic obligation to maintain their foundations. We can fool even ourselves by our positions and apparent success. Accountability, positive biblical input and frequent times of getting regrounded are essential to keeping the water of outside influence, pride and self-centeredness from eroding our foundations.
—Alan Nelson in Life@Work
Respond:
How's the maintenance going on your foundation?
Thought to Apply:
The Christian walk is much like riding a bicycle; we are either moving forward or falling off.
—Robert Tuttle (speaker)
Adapted from: Life@Work (11-12/99).
Inspiration from www.christianitytoday.com
