A WESTERN TRAIL GUIDE FOR LIFE & LEADERSHIP
If you’re on a spiritual trail of learning leadership, you’ll need a trail guide of some sort. You’ll need to be reminded where you’re headed, your final destination. When you get there, you’ll want to be pleased with your travel along the way.
End of the Trail
This Scripture verse has always been meaningful and challenging to me. What is at the end of the trail for you and me? Not just heaven, but these words from the Lord as well.
Hebrews 11:16, “Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God.”
That’s the greatest epitaph for anybody’s life. At the end of your trail or mine, how delightful to know that God is not ashamed to be called our God. I want to live my life in such a way that could be true of me. So, that’s where I’m headed. I’m aimed toward that glorious Promised Land, my end of the trail. I want to get there and find that God is not ashamed.
Old West Trail Guide Tips
Along the way I’ve found some trail tips that will help. In these three-part posts, I’m going to give you enough fun, easy-to-remember staff or personal devotions for at least twenty weeks. And I’ll show you how to apply them. They’ll help you and your people be who God wants you to be. Here we go . . .
Trail Tip #l: Always Drink Upstream from the Herd
Aim for fresh water! That sounds obvious out on the trail. To me, that means we need to get to the goal, purpose, or word from God before the clamor of the herd messes it up. We need to be at the forefront of study, ahead of the trend in thinking things through.
Dig into the Word of God when it’s fresh, pure, and running clear. For me, that’s early morning, my best time to be refreshed. For instance, if you have a camping or conference ministry, understand and apply the Scriptures before the conferees do. Get to the Word first at a quiet, peaceful place.
Trail Tip #2: There Never Was a Hoss Who Couldn’t Be Rode and Never Was a Man Who Couldn’t Be Throwed
You and I need to take an honest look at ourselves. The challenges before us can be surmounted. God doesn’t put any trial in our way we can’t handle. On the other hand, there has never been a temptation we might not fall for. We can all be throwed.
Estimate fully what Jesus and you can do, what you can accomplish, if you stay close and transparent with Him. Also keep humbly in mind, I can stumble, I can fall, and I can be throwed.
Trail Tip #3: Never Ask a Man the Size of His Spread
The Old West rules still remain in the west. You can ask about this year’s feed details, how the stock’s staying healthy, or how the price is holding up. However, you don’t ask, “Well, now, how many acres do you ranch?” Retire from active competition–the comparisons of a) better than, b) richer than, c) wiser than, or d) worse than.
If you’re in leadership of any kind I have a feeling you’re trying to size up other leaders you just met, to see where they’re at. You want to know, what kind of spread do they have? Remember that in the Old West, it didn’t make any difference at all. A great attitude. We’re only responsible for what we have.
Trail Guide Tip #4: After Weeks of Beans and Taters, Even a Change to Taters and Beans is Good
Beans and taters—that does sound like some camp cooking. Maybe Friday nights you always have the same menu. Do something different. Break the routine. Find a new way to do an old dish.
But I’m not talking just about food. There are lots of things we could switch around for a little variety. How about activities you’ve always done indoors, take it outdoors. Change the furniture, so you don’t have to look at the same wall. Add a scarf to your wardrobe or a dance step to your walk. A simple shake up in the ordinary can do wonders for your creativity and outlook and, perhaps, the response to you.
Trail Tip #5: Never Saw a Branch Supporting You, Unless You’re Being Hung From It
Sounds obvious. However, in a lot of church ministries, as well as camps and conferences, we receive support from different groups of people, such as financial, volunteers, church families, men’s and women’s groups, etc. Then we get great new ideas which require a big change. However, we’d lose the support if they don’t buy in. Be very sure it’s God’s will before you cut off that branch, unless you’re being hung from it.
When I talk to pastors, I really push on this one. For instance, I see it over and over–the tendency to come to a new church and and immediately do battle with what they want changed. That’s a sure way to saw off crucial limbs. Big time wisdom needed.
Trail Tip #6: Generally Speaking, Fancy Titles and Night Shirts are a Waste of Time
Who do you consider the important people in your group? Does it depend on the event or their appearance? Treat all folks as equals. God considers each person important, His unique design with His appointed gifts. Whether they have a title or degrees or not, it doesn’t matter. In fact, an office with your name on the door doesn’t make you more special either. Nor does a reserved parking place.
Every person in a group has something to contribute. Anyone can be an expert in something. One thing I’ve learned as a writer is to listen to others. The person next to you can teach you lessons about extraordinary subjects, if you linger with them long enough. I’ve done much of my research that way, gleaning facts about topics I never knew, from the most surprising human sources.
Trail Tip #7: If You’re Riding Ahead of the Herd, Look Back Now and Then
Whether at your job or church, in your family or community, where are you leading them? Even more important, make sure they’re still there. Is anyone following you? Is the team or staff behind your leadership? Are the conferees with you? Are people still coming? Or are you having so much excitement off on your own, you don’t know whether anyone’s around or not.
Trail Guide Tip #8: Even a Kick in the Caboose is a Step Forward
Life can give you some subtle, strong, or harsh kicks in the caboose. But it gets you moving, often in the direction God wants you to go. And that’s progress. Even accepting failure offers a step forward.
Chances are, if God kicks us in the caboose, it’s because we wouldn’t get going any other way. We’ve plunked down and won’t budge. So, He gets us off our duff. That’s what a true trail guide does to keep us heading in the right direction.
Stephen Bly
Circa 1996
Trail Ends Image by Tori Kamal from Pixabay
Cows and Stream Waterfall Image by carsten10 from Pixabay
Potato Dish Image by Samuele Schirò from Pixabay
Kicking Horse 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 as a disciple and follower of Jesus. Sponsored by BlyBooks.com Legacy Series.
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