Leading While Bleeding

Leading While Bleeding

Leaders must be perfect in all of their ways. They aren't allowed to get it wrong and they certainly cannot have a bad day. The only people who should miss the mark and mess up are the "normal people". Where did we develop these outlandish standards from? Why do we carry such unrealistic expectations of people? Why have we exalted leaders and placed them on pedestals their human natures cannot sustain them on? The unfair opinions and judgments are making leaders avoid seeking help because society expects them to be invulnerable and without flaws. Sadly, nobody seems to realize the damage being done. 

Across the world, leading while bleeding has becoming dangerously common. What is leading while bleeding? It is when a person in a leadership position is fulfilling their assignments and responsibilities but they're internally struggling with issues no one knows about. Daily they render solutions to everyone's problem but they can't figure out their own. When they are in front of people, their countenance suggests that they have it all together when the truth is they're secretly falling apart. The pressure of being a leader is undeniably real. In fact, it's so real, most gifted people wish they would have left the gift box unopened. They wish their gift didn't make room for them in the public eye. The reason they feel this way isn't because they're unappreciative of their call or position but mostly because no one seems to understand that, although they are gifted, they are still human. Gifted people live a real life with real issues and they have real feelings just like everyone else. Many leaders hide who they are to avoid being judged by who they lead. I never understood the concept of judging and condemning those who selflessly help enhance our lives through their leading. Maybe if we had less critics and more intercessors and supporters, our leaders wouldn't suffer in silence.

JUST FIX IT

It is medically proven that internal bleeding can be life threatening without medical attention. This same veracity is applicable to individuals who are bleeding as they lead. What is causing your bleeding doesn't matter. What matters is that you seek help. You know the areas that you're struggling in; therefore, seek suitable help. Don't force yourself to be perfect because you were never created to be perfect. Your tenure as a person of influence will include issues you won't always have the ability to cope with alone. It's important that you have a safe place where you can share your heart, voice your fears, and be honest about what is wrong. Mentors and confidants are necessary. Take time to build healthy relationships with compassionate, understanding people. Find at least one person who can relate with and accept the person you are when you are off the platform. It's nice having people celebrate and respect you for the position that you hold but what you really need is someone who you can be vulnerable with behind the scenes. 

With all that said, leaders, I urge you to just fix it. Sometimes fixing the issue means taking a break from everything to work on yourself. Whatever you have to do it, do it! If you avoid the problem it becomes bigger than it has to be. Your gift is too valuable to be lost at the expense of a problem you refused fixed. Trust me, it's really okay if you can't do it in your own strength. We all need somebody at some point. You just have to find who's really for you! There is somebody who is genuinely concerned about your well being and your assignment. Ask God for discernment to identify that person and grace to wholeheartedly trust them. You don't have to do this alone......so don't!

Insecurity Issues

Sarah is a beautiful young gal with charming wit​. She has the ability to light up any room that she walks into with her radiant smile and positive vibes. Undeniably, Sarah has it going on! From afar, many girls admire her and aspire to be just like her. They see in her what she has yet to see in herself. 

Malcolm is macho man on the block. He wears the latest in fashion; from Gucci to Cole Haan, he has it all. In his garage, sits a black on black Lexus and cherry red Mercedes Benz. A collection of degrees; bank full of money; status quo amongst some of the greatest. That's Malcolm.  He's what society deems the "ideal" man, but what most people don't know about Malcolm is, underneath his lavish belongings, is a bruised heart that houses his insecurity. He and Sarah are one in the same. 

Knowing the relationship won't last from the beginning, Sarah pursues them anyway---all in the name of acceptance and affection. Insecurity issues. Having low self-esteem and a need to be included, Malcolm surrounds himself with friends who aren't on the same level as him. He's the guy everyone reaches out to when they are in need of a favor; and since Malcolm has a need for affirmation, he succumbs to being taken advantaged of. He'll give until there's nothing left without expecting a returned favor because he doesn't believe he's worth reciprocation. Insecurity issues. As long as he has what others lack, he knows that his phone will always ring with someone on the other line needing something he has to offer; and he's content with that. 

Jonah 2:8 "Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them"

Sarah and Malcolm are emotionally cripple.  To the Sarah and Malcolm reading this, I want to tell you a simple remedy to cure your insecurity: God's love. God's love is and always will be sufficient. Until you trust that it's enough, your insecurity issues will continually make people idols in your life. Instead of clinging to worthless idols, turn to God's love! In His love, you will find perfect completion.

Don't degrade your value by searching for validation. When God created you, He made you enough. Neither your imperfections or the areas in your life that require improvement can make you less than.......unless you let it.  Your inadequacies will continue to rule your life until you tap into a source that's greater. Today is a great day to introduce your insecurities to God's love. 

You Are Remembered

While on Facebook the other day, I received two messages simultaneously, from two different friends. The same thing was communicated in both messages---I haven't forgotten about you. Immediately, my mood went from discouraged to encouraged! It was just the mood booster I was in dire need of.

Although the senders of each message communicated the same thing to me, they both were referencing two separate promises they had made to me. How encouraging is it to know that there are some people who are still committed to their promises, and have intentions of actually fulfilling them? It's even more encouraging to know that although it's taking some time, it's still on the way.

Today, I want to submit to you that, you are not forgotten. YOU ARE REMEMBERED. Whatever you are expecting will come eventually. Whoever made the promise, will deliver on their word. I know you can't quite comprehend the "why" of your wait but things will work out just as they should. It may not happen today but it will happen some day!  

Somewhere in between waiting and receiving, we tend to grow doubtful! We question if what we are waiting on is even worth it; we wonder if  we are wasting our waiting; and we question if the promise-maker will ever prove themselves to be a promise-keeper. Some of you have been waiting so long that is has aggravated your faith. Others of you have even had to deal with watching others get what you have been waiting and praying for, and it has made you resent those people, and worst yet, it has destroyed your desire to receive your promise. You are doing everything that you know how to wait patiently and be of good courage, but the more that you wait, the more unrealistic the arrival of your promise seems. But...take heart; something is about to happen that will make you know that you are remembered and it won't be many days hence.

As hard and hurtful as waiting has been for you, I admonish you to WAIT ON! Before you call it quits, just remember: you held on this long because somewhere underneath the doubt, discouragement, and mixed emotions caused by waiting, you KNOW that you are worth what you are waiting for. So, validate your own worth by continuing to wait. Don't take the easy way out by giving up or settling for anything just so you can have something. 

The Weight of Worship Leading Pt. 2

Carrying the Weight of a Worship Leader

The Role of a Worship Leader

-Part 2-

What is the role of a Worship Leader?

Judging by the two words "worship" and leader", the title itself speaks to your duty and role. Primarily, a worship leader is responsible for leading God's people into worship. They are expected to direct a body of gathered believers into the throne of God, by navigating the people from the outskirts of God’s presence into the inner courts of God’s glory! Every time you come to the front line to operate as a Worship Leader, your task is to invoke people into a true encounter with God. As a worship leader, you must command (control) atmospheres; even those atmospheres that seem impossible to break through. When it seems 

The worship moment is predicated on our sensitivity to the voice of God, our skillfulness, and our preparation. In a corporate worship setting, whenever the worship leader fails to gain access to God’s presence, it results in a missed God-moment. The consequence of a missed God-moment means that God's agenda for the worship gathering won't be accomplished or He has to use someone else to do what the worship leader failed to do. Do you see how vital it is for you, as a worship leader, to know your role and to execute the duties thereof without fail?  You are the spiritual GPS system that God uses to navigate His people into His presence. You are who God expects to set the stage for a performance by Him. The liability is on you. Not anyone else.

A considerable portion of worship leaders today have gotten to the place that they blame everyone but themselves. They will blame everyone, and in some instances, everything--- the band, the sound, the sound technicians, the media staff, the microphones, and the like. In fact, some worship leaders will boldly play the blame game while “leading worship”. Have you ever been in a worship setting where the person leading would say things like: “I’m trying to take us there but ya’ll ain’t trying to go...”, “You could have stayed home if you were just going to come and sit on God”? Some will even go so far as to scold their praise team/band members, whilst the worship experience is in progress, just to make it appear as if they are the hindrance.

You MUST Navigate!

To be very frank about the matter: the only person to be blamed, is the one who has been given charge over the worship encounter. Again, as the authoritative figure of the worship, it is your duty to navigate! Worship Leader, you have been given the authority from God (and your pastor) to situate the atmosphere in a way that God’s agenda can be fulfilled. If God desires to release the anointing of healing into the atmosphere, you as the worship leader must make the atmosphere conducive to receive that anointing. Sometimes, while you’re in the act of leading worship, you will find yourself warring in the spirit. When this happens, don’t resort to negative speech. Instead, begin to intercede and gracefully release the Word of God into the atmosphere, or pray in the spirit until something shifts. When you are given an assignment, you are also given the anointing to operate within that assignment. Use what you have been given!

Worship Leaders: Cease from the tendency to find fault in everyone and everything. Be accountable to your assignment. You are the one whom God has selected to lead. He's given you the authority and the anointing needed for your assignment! If you fail at navigating, own it. After all, it’s rightfully yours to own. If the people opt not to follow, that’s not for you to worry about. Don’t force people to worship. Worship must be a willing enterprise. Endeavoring to force someone to enter in makes you a bully. You have been tasked to lead...not bully! 

David pens in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask of the Lord, that will I seek after...” What David desired from the Lord, he was determined to seek after. No matter what others are doing around you, continue to seek after God and flow as He leads you. Refrain from letting people's response dictate the effectiveness of your leading. Be concerned with God's response! Furthermore, always let your desire for God’s presence be fueled by your determination to get into His presence. Never exhaust yourself by trying to lead individuals to a place that they have no desire to go. If they desire to "go in", they will express that desire by participating in the moment. And if they don't, they simply won't! Whenever that's the case, be okay with it! God has no desire to force Himself on anyone unwilling to fellowship with Him.

The Weight of Worship Leading

Carrying The Weight of a Worship Leader
The Objective of Worship
-Part 1-

In order to effectively carry the weight of being a Worship Leader, you must first understand the objective of worship. It is equally important to know what your role is as a worship leader. Each of the two hold significant value.  In learning both the objective and the assignment, you will build the necessary strength to effectively carry the weight of your calling. As well, these fundamentals create a sturdy foundation upon which you can build and continually grow. One thing pertaining to carrying out any assignment holds true: foundation matters! The foundation determines the fulfillment, effectiveness, and duration of one's assignment. When your foundation is sturdy and sure, the success of your assignment is secure.

The Object of Worship

Overtime, there have been many philosophers, theologians, seminarians, and worship leaders who have defined worship in a particular way. Some base their definition and objective of worship on personal experiences. Others base it on learned behavior. In either case, there are a plethora of definitions and objectives floating around, most of them making the idea of worship and its intent complex. However, the Bible gives simple instructions about worship. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" 

Before the foundations of the earth, we were deemed to be worshipers. Although, we all have various callings on our lives, our ultimate purpose is to show forth the praises of our God! This purpose must be the priority of all Christians. Worship is what we have been chosen to do, by God, and for God! This is only attainable once you agree to carry out your predestined role in the earth, and then, you must acknowledge God’s worth.

Very simply, to worship is to acknowledge God’s worth and then, to respond to His worth by uttering "yes" in all that we do. In other words, whenever you are worshiping, be it publicly or privately, you are expressing to God what He means to you. This is what worship involves- chosen vessels communicating the depths of God to God. When you worship, you fulfill your higher calling. Since you have been called by His name, you have also been called to glorify His name in the Earth. Isaiah 43:7 states: “Everyone that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him: I have made him.” This scripture reminds us of God’s intentions for creation. Anytime your life contradicts the declaration God made in this passage, you are living outside of your purpose. And when you live outside of your purpose, you are not living at all-- you’re merely existing.

Worship Leaders: As you carry the weight of your assignment, constantly remind yourself of the objective of your assignment. For those of you who oversee a team of worshipers, whether they are dancers, singers, choir members, minstrels, or a combination of them all, teach them what worship is and continually inform them of why we worship. But don’t just stop at teaching! Go a step further- reinforce it through a consistent lifestyle so they’ll never lose sight of why they do what they do.

To be continued.....

Guard Your Vulnerability

Guard Your Vulnerability

What is Vulnerability?

Vulnerability, very simply, means to be open. When you are in a state of openness, you're susceptible to many things. Some of those things being: judgement, criticism, and emotional turmoil, being misunderstood, just to name a few.  Just by considering the definition of vulnerability, and the different things it opens you to, it is very clear to see why one should guard their vulnerability. It is one of the most precious emotional jewels that humankind has in its possession. It has great benefits, but if used without discretion, it can lead to a great downfall.

You should only share your vulnerability with those that have proven themselves to be trustworthy and understanding. Anyone that can't be trusted is someone that does not deserve the privilege of accessing your vulnerability. If you think about it, vulnerability and trust are one in the same; neither of the two can work successfully without the other. Therefore, trust must be established prior to allowing entrance into the most private areas of your life. 

Unguarded Vulnerability

The beauty of vulnerability is unquestionable. To be open and honest about how you feel without being judged is undeniably beautiful. Sharing your fears with someone who can understand because their fears are identical is beautiful. Having someone love you perfectly even after coming to know your many imperfections is absolutely beautiful. However, with all of its beauty, vulnerability should still remain guarded. It should be guarded until you are sure that the person you wish to give it to will consistently value and respect it, and protect it as if it were their own. If you're not certain whether you can trust a person, always search for signs. Pay attention to how they respond when you tell them certain things. Pay attention to see if they have a bad habit of repeating things you tell them to others. These small signs play a major role in determining if someone can handle your vulnerability. 

Most of us are prone to believe that anyone that lends us a listening ear can be trusted. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. The sad reality is, some people will only listen because they are nosy. Learn to strictly share information with people who are concerned and care about you because they will always do more than just listen to you.  They will go the extra mile to help resolve the issue; they will pray for you when you can’t pray for yourself; they won’t ask unnecessary questions; they'll help you carry your burdens. Why? Simply because true loyalty and love starts with listening but it doesn't end there. 

When the Door is Unlocked..

Before opening the door of your home to allow someone to come in, you glance through the peep hole or ask "who is it?" to ensure that it is someone you know. This same method should be applied to your relationships in life. Before you unlock the door of your trust and allow someone into the place where your vulnerability dwells, know who they are first. By doing so, you will save yourself unnecessary heartache, damaged trust, and emotional frustration. Most of the unwanted emotional pain we experience is often the result of not truly knowing those we are in relationship with.

When you finally decide to unlock the door to your trust, never close the door to your wisdom. In other words, don't tell everything to a person just because you've decided they are trustworthy. There are some things that you should keep to yourself until the appointed time (if there is one) comes to tell someone else. The issue most of have is, we fail to understand that everyone does not need to know everything about you. Your life was never intended to be an open book. Some call it being overly secretive; I call it being very smart. 

Transparency requires you to tell the truth. It doesn't require you to tell everything. Be wise. Applying limitations to your transparency will prevent your vulnerability from being abused. Without having limits to your transparency, you'll oftentimes find yourself in a place of regret wishing that you didn't open your mouth too soon, or at all. Always know what to tell, who to tell it to, and when to tell it. 

'Til the Last Drop

(review of Pastor Marquis Boone's book)

There's a lot I can say about this impressive work of literature. I'll start by expressing how amazing the cover design is. When I first saw it, immediately, I was captivated. Well designed covers will effortlessly intrigue grasp an individual's interest. The cover of Til the Last Drop did exactly that.

Aside from the cover, the content inside of the book is simply astounding. Pastor Boone did what most authors fail at doing- conveying a message that ANY audience can read, and relate to.

Furthermore, the manner in which he modernized the story of the woman with the issue of  blood was incredible. He masterfully took an uncommon approach to tell a familiar story without dumbing down its message. Being successful at retelling such a popular and delicate story can be implausible; but Boone did it- and did it exceptionally well might I add.

I strongly recommend this book be read by everyone- particularly those whose faith is frustrated. This book will revive your faith, restore your trust in God, and inspire you to believe that you can, and will make it Til the Last Drop.

Don't forfeit yourself the opportunity to be blessed. Purchase this book as soon as today.

It's available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and www.marquisboone.com. It's in stores as well.