Poignant statement: Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence.
Subject: Competent to lead
Scripture: I Timothy 3:1-13
There was once a very wealthy and learned young man who went to the East to seek out a wise Zen master as his new mentor. He joined him for afternoon tea saying, “Wise Master, I have studied at man universities and obtained many degrees and have been subjected to many foolish people who have been able to teach me little that I have not already known. I now wish to study with you so that you can teach me all your wisdom.”
The Zen master reached over to pour tea into the young man’s tea cup. The hot tea filled the cup and continued to flow out all over the young man’s clothes, burning him in the process. The young man jumped up and yelled, “You stupid man, can’t you see what you are doing? You are spilling hot tea all over me.”
The Zen master stopped pouring and spoke, “Young man, until your cup is empty you are incapable of receiving anything from me. Go now and return when you are able to make room to receive from another.” This is a classic example to learn that those who are learned need to learn more. The wise knows that his cup needs constant filling!
As I travel around India, Nepal and some other countries, I am privileged to meet many leaders. I can see competency in some and complacency in others. One of the secrets of competent leaders is their desire to constantly learn. It is by constant learning and more learning we become a good and spiritual leader. It was John F Kennedy who said “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”
The word of God is the first book which has shaped my life as a leader and my outlook of life. So reading, meditating, learning and trying to put them in practice each day from the Word of God is crucial. Bible has nuggets of truths in all areas of life and also on leadership.
It is not only the word of God but the Holy Spirit is our great guide and teacher and He speaks to 16: 13 John “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak of His own; He will speak only what He hears and He will tell you what is yet to come“
The reading pattern and habit of a leader shows the kind of leader he is or is developing into. Many leaders read too little or read only limited interest books. I advocate versatile reading habit as they give you a great panoramic view of the world we live in. I read a lot about self-improvement and business books as they give me tips on leadership skills. At times I read even novels to ease my mind. Funny comics are too in the menu. No literature is a taboo for me as long as they are not unhealthy types or those which deter my spiritual growth.
Always have curious exploratory mind so that you are keen and open to new ideas. You should be like a two year old kid who is always wondering with wide open eyes as to why things are as they are. Never take anything for granted but keep learning new things from all you can see and experience.
Those of you who have internet at your disposal you can go for all sorts of resources from sermons online to motivational talks by various Christian leaders. However be careful that you do not spend too much time on it. Internet is a wonderful slave but a tyrant master. Control internet usage and let not internet control you.
One of my best learning opportunities has been with the people I come in contact with and particularly those who are very simple folks. In my church I have a 70 years old lady who is right from a remote village in Nepal and when she says something I listen carefully because she is an example of many people who come to our church. She is simple, forthright and has no qualm expressing her ideas. She teaches me to be real and always thankful to God for all he has done. If I want to minister to them then I need to listen to such people. My people are my great teachers.
One of my opportunities to learn is from my wife and children. They are bright and vocal and they see the world from a different perspective. My wife is devoted woman of God and she always teaches and my adult daughters are successful professional and they teach me things from the market place of the world and I am ever keen to learn. My children make me aware of a different world and I need to know that world too so that I can minister to the people of that group.
A good and competent leader is not afraid of asking about things he is ignorant because obviously there are things we will not know. When we ask for help from people we are not showing our weakness but strength because we are confident to ask things we know little or nothing about.
This list can go on to a great length but you can begin from these lists. I am sure you can add more and explore other avenues of learning opportunities.
Poignant statement: Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardour and attended to with diligence.
Prayer: Lord, I pray that you provide more leaders in our Nepali churches. But mostly I pray that we may have leaders who are spiritual and as much skillful as we can be in order to lead your flock in the right direction so that they grow and be prepared to face all challenges of life.
Republished in new layout on 8/20/20123
Previous Comment
that is beautiful picture
written by Paulas Panday , August 03, 2008
listening to बुढिआमा , age of 70??, very great lesson they can teach us from their life na? I am encouraged by your writing, and we not only need readers, we also need native writers.
God may raise our people to learn deeply, write widely and live accordingly.
Amen.
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