No this isn’t an original post. And to be honest
I’m a little speechless these days about what to think or say here. Just know
that an original post is in the works J.
Until then enjoy this little doozy of a read. I hope it touches your heart in
the same way that it touched mine!
6
Habits of World Changers
If
a man or woman had an idea and brought it to life in a way that revolutionized
an industry, we would consider them a tycoon. If that same individual did their
business for the betterment of others with the motivation to begin a legacy of
helping others beyond their own lifetime, we would consider them a
humanitarian. If that legacy was for Jesus, we would consider them godly
entrepreneurs we can all look up to.
The
entrepreneur that encapsulates this kind of legacy is Paul—and here are the six
habits that led to his success.
1.
Recognize that no
job is too lowly
Paul’s entire ministry life was entrepreneurial. He had to
raise capital, which often meant doing the regular, lowly job of tent-making
(Acts 18:3). He even goes so far as to raise additional capital for others when
needed (Rom. 15:25-27). Training others was a regular part of Paul’s routine
(see 1 Timothy and Titus). And while Paul’s primary mission was to proclaim
Christ to the Gentiles, he considered no job beneath him—not tent-making, not
sorting through squabbles of believers in community (2 Cor. 2:5-11).
GREAT LEADERS ARE NEVER AFRAID TO GIVE OF THEMSELVES FIRST.
2.
Work hard—despite
the results you can’t control
Right after Paul’s conversion, he embraces the
Holy Spirit’s role in his life (Acts 9:19-22). Unashamed of its work and
boasting in what God has done for him (Rom 5:1-5; Phil 2:14-18), he went about
the work of continuing Jesus’ ministry. He openly told others to embrace
spiritual gifts and the Spirit’s leading and poured his life efforts into
expanding the Church.
Yet through all of this, Paul knew he could not
control the outcome. Working for God meant pursuing the unexpected, going up
against great challenges and understanding that as hard as Paul worked to
spread the Gospel, the end result was in God’s hands and outside of Paul’s
control. But that never stopped him from the work at hand.
3.
Be unstoppable
Entrepreneurs are notoriously stubborn and
strong-willed and Paul was no different. His belief that eternal life started
here on earth with acceptance of Jesus resulted in an unquenchable desire to
bring people to Jesus (Rom 5:12-6:23). Once, a prophet even had to tie him up
to keep him from going on a mission (Acts 21:10-16). From the moment Jesus
stopped Paul on the road, Paul was unstoppable. He knew from the beginning that
he must suffer for Christ’s sake and he embraced that fully (Acts 9:16).
4.
Have confidence in
your role and calling
Paul openly embraced his role as an apostle (Rom. 1:1). He didn’t tiptoe around the fact
with a pretense of humility, or boast of it—he simply knew what he was called
to do. He was confident before God in what God intended for him to do. And his
confidence arises out of the truth that there was no difference for Paul
between his mission and God’s mission—his identity was completely wrapped up in
Christ’s work.
PAUL DIDN’T TIPTOE AROUND HIS CALLING WITH A PRETENSE OF
HUMILITY, OR BOAST OF IT—HE SIMPLY KNEW WHAT HE WAS CALLED TO DO.
5.
Know yourself
When it comes to ministering to others, Paul was as open
about his weakness as he was about the apostolic role to which Christ has
called him to (2 Cor. 12:1-10). Paul regularly emphasized that his strength was
found in Christ, not himself (Phil. 4:13). Paul may have been confident, but he
was also humble. When it comes time for Paul to defend Jesus, he did so by
claiming all that Christ did to transform the wretched hater Paul was into a
saint (1 Cor. 15:1-11). Paul knows who
he is on all accounts—the good, the bad and the ugly. Prayer and
self-reflection—by reflecting on Christ and comparing oneself to Him—constantly
reminded Paul of his place.
6.
Be willing to make
sacrifices
Great leaders are never afraid to give of themselves first.
Paul was this type of leader. When difficult work must be done, Paul embraced
it fully (Acts 22). When it comes to even being wrongfully imprisoned for being
a Christian, Paul takes on the task. Not only did he embrace his role as a
sufferer for Christ, he made the most out of it—ministering to those also
imprisoned, to the guards and to others through his writings (Acts 16:16-34; 2
Timothy 1:8-18). Much of what we have today from Paul was written while he was
in prison. Paul led by example, even when it was painful to do so. And he was
able to do this because Christ was his example.
It’s easy for Christians to talk about this grand idea of
calling, of world-changing, of innovation and entrepreneurship for a greater
cause. But we must realize that our success or failure in any of these things
comes down to our habits—our daily routines, attributes, behaviors and choices.
These are the things that make up the great leaders we admire. These are the
things that make all the difference as we seek to change the world.
By: John D. Barry
