The heart of a Servant Leader

E-dge G-od O-ut

* Putting Something in God's Place

First, you Edge God Out when you put something else in God's place as the object of
your worship. Whenever anything becomes more important to you than God, you are in
effect bowing to it, adoring it, or surrendering yourself to it. The idol becomes
your answer to the question, "Whose are you?" In short, you worship it. It may be
an object such as money, a house, a car, or a business. It may be a desire for
power, recognition, or appreciation. It may be a habit that becomes an addiction
that is more important that God to you, such as exercise, watching sports on
television,eating, sleeping, or surfing the Internet. It can also be your own sense
of significance and sacrifice. In the book of Revelation, Jesus calls the church at
Ephesus to task with the complaint that despite its good deeds and perseverance, it
had "lost its first love" (2:1-7). Whatever it is, it's not worth taking the place
of your worship of God.

** Trusting in Something Other Than God

Another way you Edge God Out is when you trust in something other than the
character and unconditional love of God as your source of security and self-
worth. When you put your sense of security and self-worth in your intellect,
your position, your performance, your possessions, or your business and
personal contacts, you're counting on things that are at-risk and temporary.
Instead, you must place your trust in that which is sure and eternal: God's care
for you and the wisdom He provides about living in harmony with the rest of His
creation.

*** Valuing Opinions Other Than God's

A third way you Edge God Out is when you put others in His place as the major
audience, authority, and judge of your life. If your sense of security is based
on what others think, then you don't have any security at all. People are fickle,
and your ability to please everyone all the time is a myth that leads to anxious
trying and no peace of mind or soul. Not only is God the all-knowing, all-seeing
audience of your life, He has the eternal power and unconditional love to
reconcile all things according to His pure and perfect wisdom.

All the world is a stage, and God is the all-seeing audience. He determines
your destiny. How many business and church leaders thought they were getting
away with devious deals and decisions only to discover that God makes known
from the housetops the secrets that were whispered in the closet? Your character
is revealed when no one is watching. (Except remember that God is always
watching!)


~ Lead Like Jesus, LESSONS from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of ALL TIME
Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges