"Forged Through Adversity"
Leadership is important. It takes a strong person to bear the burden of leadership. It takes hard work, determination, being coachable, having grit, tenacity, a hunger to learn, humility, admitting when you are wrong, and learning from your mistakes.
None of this just happens. It cannot be learned in a book either. Where does this wisdom come from? Did someone just make it up or did it develop over time? Absolutely not.
Leadership lessons are learned through experience, and the wisdom we gain is God-given. Full stop. It does not come from man, but from the Lord. To honor your people, stand up for what is right, to be slow to anger, quick to listen, and slow to speak. These characteristics are just a few that start to describe God Himself. That is why they are good. That is why they are true.
Our soul is forged through adversity by the hand of God if we humbly submit to Him in obedience. This is where a leader is made—this is where a leader is FORGED.
Identity
Identity matters. Those who do not know their identity—or those who put their identity in a person, thing, or organization—stand on shaky ground.
What happens when that person, thing, or organization fails you? What happens when it turns out that that person is not who you thought they were, or that organization fails to live out its mission? What happens then? If that thing is where you derive your identity, you will crumble and pass away as it crumbles and passes away.
Those who find their identity in a God who is immovable and unchanging will be on solid ground. No matter the storm—rooted in Christ, we will not be moved.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Purpose
What is our purpose? It’s one of the most important questions we ask ourselves. We must understand our God-given purpose—and to discover it, we must first seek the Lord.
If God is the Designer of us (the invention), who better to ask about our purpose? Jesus said it plainly: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind—this is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two" (Matthew 22:37-40). This is our core created purpose. But how does it show up uniquely in your life?
God knit each of us together fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:13-14). He knows every detail and has a sovereign plan full of hope. Yet evil exists, and we often choose our way over His. Still, there’s hope: God is sovereign and works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Trust Him—He redeems our messes for glory.
Seek Him first. Live your purpose. Adapt or die—choose life in Christ.
