Leading Where You Are

"Leading Where You Are"

Written By Patti Benbrook

MOMSNext breakout session was a success. We were enriched and encouraged by our guest speaker Heather Blass. She is a member of Big Valley Grace Church in Modesto. She was a member of MOPS, was a MOPS and MOMSnext coordinator and is currently working in Women’s Ministry. Thank You Heather for sharing with us today.

God can use rough starts

Exodus 3:11 (NIV) 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

The main focus was on “Leading where you are”. Heather started off with the example of Moses. *Sometimes we can have a rough start. He had all the excuses why he wasn’t fit for the task God asked him to do. God is patient. He equipped Moses with the tools he needed to lead. Heather reminded us that we can be weak and God will be strong for us. God has a path for us. We as women will go through seasons of changes. We are to take time for ourselves to re-assess and find out what God’s calling is for us.

Leading in your sphere of influence

Esther 4:14 (NIV) 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

            God brought her to the place where He wanted her. He makes no mistakes-He is intentional! Whether we believe it or not, we are leaders in some capacity. We all have a sphere of influence. It is the people around us. In our workplace, our neighbors, our friends, and our family. We influence by our actions, words, and even our silence. “Great leaders develop more leaders.”

           

Servant leadership

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Acts of servitude have a much longer lasting impact than words. Heather reminded us that Jesus, being Lord and Teacher, washed the feet of His disciples, which was his wordless display of humility and servitude. Acts of servitude is an action not for our accolades, or crown, or “Atta-boys”.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind. Regard one another more important than yourself.

Leading yourself

            We NEED to be intentional, make choices, resource ourselves, and we need to grow in knowledge.  Is there something your not “gifted at”? Ask someone who is gifted to show you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! This is how you grow! To lead and grow we need to stay in God’s Word! We need to pray and sometimes we need to be quiet to hear from God. As Heather said, “God is a gentleman, He doesn’t yell”. We need to be open to our “calling”.

Heather also used the illustration of the pitcher the cup, and the saucer. The pitcher is God, we are the cup, and the saucer is the people, in our sphere of influence.  God’s love and goodness is pouring into our cup. We are to stay under the pitcher so as not to allow our cup to become empty. We will be taught and encouraged by Him, and in turn teach, lead, and encourage others in our sphere of influence.

God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called!

Ephesians 4:1-4 (NIV) 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called…

Heather ended with a challenge!  To pray that God will use you! She quickly whisked off to allow us time for discussion.

Our group chat went well. Kelly mentioned God will not call us to just abandon us and Ciara shared, “God’s word is like our oxygen! We NEED it to live!

             We are all opening up more and more. We laugh, we cry, we share, we encourage. We are truly building friendships. I am excited to see what plans God has for these lovely ladies!

            Our time flew by us so quickly; we barely had enough time for Operation Christmas Child! We put together 6 boxes and prayed for all these children.   

  

                                                            

A note of request: Please pray for Rebecca. Her husband is having a kidney transplant next week. Please pray for the entire family. God is The Great Physician…

 Until next breakout, take care and may God bless and enrich you to the fullest!