This is the second part in this series. If you want to read part 1, go here.

Key #2 – Lead with Conviction

I pull this principle from the popular story of David and Goliath (read it here). David had no clout or any pull with the people in charge. He was just a kid. But when he heard Goliath bashing his God and his people, David felt a conviction deep inside his soul. A convition so powerful that it pushed him to battle someone twice his size, twice his age, and probably 10 times his fighting skills.

David did not gather the troops through some inspiring speech or take charge with a brilliant battle plan. Instead, he got his shepherds staff and picked up some rocks on the way and just got down to business.

Keys to remember from this story:

• Conviction causes you to do things for the right reasons, not to impress the right people.
• Conviction brings real change to people and circumstances.
• No matter how insignificant you may feel, if you have a strong conviction about something, it is your responsibility to pursue it.
• Conviction does not require great talent, just big ideas and passionate people.

What problems do you see in your world that are begging for you to change them. That’s conviction! So get down to business.

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes.

Of these leaders, each individual has something unique about them that can make them great. A common leadership model is the type “A”, up front flashy leader. The reason this leader is the most prevalent in positions of power is because they not only have the leadership ability to get things done, but they also carry a air of confidence that people want to follow.

But this is not the only type of leader. There have been numerous studies about leaders who are more introverted and quiet. Personally, I am this type of leader and occasionally I wish that I was gifted like the powerful type “A” models. But over time, I have learned that You Don’t Have To Be Loud to Lead.

Key # 1 - Lead & Follow

• Currently at Cornerstone Community Church, we are studying the life of Moses. Moses was not your typical upfront leader. He actually tried to convince God that he was physically incapable of doing the job (Read it here). The thing that set Moses apart was that he allowed God to do the speaking for him, and God spoke loud enough for Pharaoh to change his mind!
• Moses led a huge number of people, but he easily understood that he was not in charge. He Led While Following.

The point for those of us who do not lead loudly is to allow the one who speaks the loudest to lead us. God has a history of using the inadequate to accomplish incredible things.

Leadership is a noble thing. But great leadership is more that just telling people what to do. To truly make a difference, we must understand the purpose of leadership.

Leadership is used to bring change to people and circumstances.

There are two keys of leadership that we must come back to if we are going to accomplish the true purpose of leadership.

1. Look for new problems
   • The world needs pioneers - It needs trail blazer – Leaders who are not satisfied with doing whats always been done.
   • A true leader is defined by someone who finds a new problem and not only points it out but has the courage to change it.
2. Look for new solutions
   • Leaders should never reinvint the wheel, but sticking with protacal is not always the answer.
   • The difference between a manager and a leader is the ability to see a new problem and a new solution, not just a way to improve the system.

Look around your world and in your circle of influence.  What new problems need solving? What new solutions could take your life or organization to the next level?

Be original…

From the moment we are born, we are taught to be independent and make our own way in life. While this is not a bad thing, it does cause us trouble in our walk with God. He asks that we lay our independence down and trust Him.

This is no simple Task…

Living fully dependent on God goes against everything that comes natural to us. Since Adam, the first man, humanity has tried to do everything but live dependent on God. We have always tried our way over the His.

Paul’s works in Galatians speak clearly -

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Gal. 2.20)

Today, make the decision to live independent of your independence and follow the Fathers leading.

There are three contributing factors that lead to the beginning of a God movement; factors that are just as necessary today for us as we continue to further the message of Jesus as they were 2000 years ago.

#1: Calling

• There were plenty of qualified Jew that Jesus could has chosen over the disciples
• Jesus chose these 12 men knowing that they would eventually carry on His ministry to the rest of the world.
• There is no human replacement for calling. Many great leaders have started with the best ambitions having only to fail because they missed their calling.
• Calling comes down to listening.
• Calling is not what we want, but instead aligning ourselves with what God wants for us.
• There is no greater place to be that in the calling of God for your life!

I personally believe the reason the disciples were so willing and immediate in following Jesus was because they already felt God’s call on their life to do something; and all it took was Jesus coming along to confirming it.

What is God calling you to do?

I love to watch epic movies such as Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, and my personal favorite, Gladiator.  Many may think it is because of the battles with swords or the bloody nature that draws guys to these types of films, and while that may be part of it, the real draw is the stories themselves. It’s the adventure!

I want to live an epic life.

Epic – very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

2 Key elements!

1. Making the decision – An epic life does not mean running around with swords and spears with a scottish accent. It means that you make decisions that impact your world and the people in it.  There are problems all around us that need someone to step up to the challenge.  Living an epic mean you make the decision that no one wants to make, or taking on the challenge that no one else whats. It means taking a stand on what is right, not what is popular. It means doing what needs to be done and not doing what is easy.

2. Seeing it through – All new challenges give a fresh excitement and thrill, but living the epic means pushing through when everyone else wants to fall away.  When all is lost, everyone else is gone, and the sensible option is to quite; you decide to step it up a notch and try that much harder.  Our society loves to quit when things get difficult, but we are not called to be ordinary quitters! We are called to be epic!

These two keys can apply to any aspect of life.
- Are you applying these at your job? If not, it is time to step up and make a difference.
- Are you applying these to your family? It is time to be the leader you are suppose to be.
- Are you applying these to you spiritual walk? Time is short and lives hang in the balance.

We only get one life to live, so instead of just watching movies about epic adventures, I have decided to live one!

Will you join me in living the epic!