More Leadership Tips for Life & Ministry
Christian leaders in family, career, and ministry aim for a Promised Land of Paradise, our end of the trail. At the beginning of everyone’s journey, we were caught in the homeland of darkness. We were trapped in a place separated from God. Then He set us free by Jesus sacrifice on the Cross and placed us on a different trail. Those called to lead in jobs, relationships, and serving others could use trail tips. And I’ve got some leadership tips for you.
We’re looking forward to the end of the trail, the Promised Land, our eternal home. Meanwhile, we sing the songs of heaven. We ponder the Lord’s return. But we aren’t there yet. We’re on the trail someplace in-between. And we like the trail, made enjoyable by those walking beside us, the divine, daily challenges, and the spiritual tips to meet those challenges. He leads us each step along the path. We face struggles, trials, and temptations, and sometimes the hill is steep, but we can enjoy the trail. And do it well.
Leadership Trail Tips
Glean these tips for whatever you face today, out of what He’s taught me from Old West wisdom.
Leadership Trail Tip #1: Sheep Don’t Associate with Wolves
And for good reason. Some situations are spiritually dangerous, and we should flat avoid them. Sometimes we have an inflated idea of our own strength. We march forward into all sorts of situations without prayer, asking God’s wisdom. Some traps we should dodge ahead of time. Some should be obvious, like sheep staying away from wolves.
Trail Tip #2: Take Ranch Country for What It Is, Not What It Ought to Be
Take your ministry, camp, or conference center for what it is, not what it ought to be. In ranching it’s really easy to drive around and wish you had someone else’s ranch. They got more water. They have got a better meadow or better drainage or more acres. And they’re closer to town or away from town. Whatever it is, you can find something that’s better. The only way you make your ranch any good is to say, “This is mine and this is what I have.”
I grew up on a ranch and we did lots of farming. We farmed in central California in what we called ‘hardpan.’ About six or eight inches under the ground, there’s nothing but a sort of petrified dirt, solid rock. And it was about a foot thick. The only way to get through it was to often use dynamite. We’d plant trees by digging a small hole first to blow it up bigger with a stick of dynamite.
I used to look at those who owned property with thick alluvial soil in the delta with topsoil about 150 foot deep. I wondered what that would be like to work with. But that’s not what I had. And you and I need to accept what we’ve got.
Leadership Trail Tip #3: Don’t Hang Your Hat On Someone Else’s Peg
Take credit for your own actions but no one else’s. Be quick to give credit to others. And don’t let jealousy crowd out appreciating the success of others.
Trail Tip #4: Any Blind Hog Can Find an Acorn
Or other cowboys say, “Any hoss’s tail can catch cockleburs.” My father often told me this when I seemed to do something right. He intimated to not be overly impressed with my own success.
Sometimes we just stumble into our good fortunes. When people say, “How did you ever do that?” We should reply, “I don’t know. It just happened and I’m enjoying it.” I have to say something similar when someone mentions all the books I’ve written. It just happened and not only through skill of my own. And I give the glory to God. He gave me the ability, motivation, and opportunity.
Leadership Trail Tip #5: Tossing Your Rope Before Building A Loop Don’t Catch the Calf
Practical planning needed for any worthwhile task. What’s your loop to prepare for what you’re catching or getting done?
Trail Tip #6: Never Approach a Bull from the Front, a Horse from the Rear, or a Fool from Any Direction
You may run into people who you should avoid or minimize contact in order to accomplish important projects. Or for more drastic measures, check out what Apostle Paul did when the slave girl kept harassing them in Acts 16:16-18.
Leadership Trail Tip #7: Just ‘Cause a Man Ain’t Yet Had a Chance to Steal Don’t Mean He’s Honest
Don’t wait for the big temptation to see if you or those on your team can handle it. Build strength of character in lots of little daily choices and tests along the way.
Trail Tip #8: You Cain’t Never Tell Which Way a Pickle Will Squirt
I really like that. You just never know what the Lord’s going to do next. He’s in charge. You can’t predict what He’s going to do. Accept and enjoy the Lord’s surprises.
We’re all on a trail and need some tips along the way. When people write to me about my books, I send them a note and often sign my letters with my little cowboy hat and add, “On the trail.” I like that phrase. That’s where we are. We’ve left something behind we haven’t gotten to where we’re going yet.
Along the way, we want to live biblical lives and sometimes we can find a word or phrase or even an idea from the Old West that helps keep us on the trail. May these trail tips help guide your destination too.
Stephen Bly
Circa 1996
Paradise and Homeland Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay
Rope Coiled Image by Önder Örtel from Pixabay
Pickle Jar Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
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“A Cowboy’s Guide for Life & Ministry” audio podcast by award-winning western author Stephen Bly. Listen to all 25 trail tips for the road as leader of your church, camp, or conference, or in your family and relationships as a disciple, follower of Jesus.
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