My friend and pastor Bjorn Dixon kicked off a new summer series at church this morning titled "Called to Be His." Another friend sitting next to me wrote down a line during the sermon that caught my attention and got me thinking about the leadership series I've been writing on this blog. Here's what she wrote: "God meets you in your weaknesses and limitations and uses you anyway." - Donna Schwab
What does that mean for a leader?
Strength, authority, and goal-oriented are just a few words that come to mind when I think of the word 'leader'. Christ was a leader who had all of those attributes. But he spotlighted another characteristic that isn't talked about a whole lot in leadership circles: weakness. He told the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)
Weakness. Limitations. Lacking.
How do those words sit with me? If I'm honest, I feel as though I weave in and out of seasons of strength and weakness. When I'm personal training and teaching group exercise classes, I feel strong and confident. I've done that for 15 years. I could teach a kickboxing or zumba class in my sleep. However, learning a new skill or vocation, like when I bought my Anytime Fitness franchise and had to sign up the first member, I felt weak and inadequate. I had no idea what I was doing. Every. Day. I think I came home and cried every day for months. Just when I had a system figured out, some new bizarre case presented itself.
I'm not sure I fully grasp the concept that Jesus's power is 'made perfect in [my] weakness,' but I do know that I cry out to God more often and more passionately when things aren't going my way. I know that when I am weak or afraid, and something turns out better than I could have imagined (thinking of countless speaking engagements and writing projects), God is the only one who gets the glory, not me. I deeply desire to glorify God in my weakness and in my strength. I think the best leaders point to God, not just in their words, but with their lives.
One of our guests for our upcoming show this week, Living Wellness LIVE, radiates leadership and grace with her strength and weakness. I've had the great pleasure of meeting with Roxane Battle, author of Pockets of Joy; Deciding to be Happy, Choosing to be Free, a few times in preparation for the upcoming show. Roxane is someone I admire for her leadership, not only because of her strength (and she is one strong, confident woman!!), but also because she is so authentic about her struggles.
Her book quickly went to the top of the charts in several categories including divorce and single parenting. But one of the unique factors of the book is not that she slams her ex-husband or uses drippy drama to captivate readers--rather, Roxane shares her life through stories of success and failures, incredible love and deep heartache, and strength and limitations. Her desire is to encourage readers to find pockets of joy amidst the challenges of life, not just when everything is rosy. Roxane also points to God as the resounding thread that never leaves her, meets her in her weaknesses and limitations and uses her anyway. I think she would have said a loud Amen in church this morning!
So as you start your week today, I want to encourage you to consider how God can meet you in your weaknesses and limitations and use you anyway. Let his power be made perfect in your weakness, and there, only there, will you find strength.
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We still have a few tickets available for our upcoming Living Wellness LIVE show on Friday, June 8th. What does a ticket include? You get to sit in our live audience for the show and meet all the special guests after the show...you know what else? You get to eat! In addition to the lovely Roxane Battle, we have a chef from POUR Wine Bar & Bistro that will be making an amazing and healthy dish. This is a guilt free meal because we'll also having the talented Jennifer Menk, Senior Director of Health and Wellbeing at the YMCA, giving us some fitness tips. Get your ticket HERE!
Can't make it to the LIVE show? We'd love to have you join us on Facebook Live. Just tune in to our Facebook page here at 7:00pm (Central Time) for the live videostream.
Blessings on your week,
Ashley Darkenwald
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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any illnesses or disease. Please always check with your doctor before beginning any new nutritional or fitness program or before making any nutritional/fitness changes.