Week 52 - #Prepare - Empower

“Unwrapped Empowerment”

Ephesians 4:12: "For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;"

2 Timothy 2:1-2:"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”

Empower: to promote the self-actualization or influence of

Within an individual’s own capacities, talents, and aptitude, every person has the potential to lead.

Some seize leadership. Some are given leadership. All possess leadership inside them.

Leadership is a choice at every level of authority.

From employee to boss. From child to parent. From student to teacher, all possess the capability, when presented with the opportunities to lead.

While some may respond, “I’m not a leader…I say, good or bad, timid or bold, inexperienced or veteran, we all have characteristics to lead.

If a person possesses an ounce of influence over another, indirectly or directly, then they are a leader.

Even my oldest granddaughter influences her little sister, and little sister influences baby brother! Sometimes good…sometimes bad! And sometimes their influence is in reverse too!

The question is not if you will lead, or can you lead, the question is how will you lead?

One benefit of acknowledging our leadership qualities, is the sharing of the gifts we have all been given.

And a life changing gift we can unwrap for those within our sphere of influence, is the gift to empower.

Which is something as leaders, even great leaders are remiss in practicing!

Ironically the “reluctant” leader is often better at empowering, than those of us seeking the leadership spotlight! For they see empowering as a necessity.

But wherever we are on the leader spectrum, in our preparation to lead, we must encourage growth in others, and empower those we serve, leading to greater heights.

To empower, prepares others throughout the process, to become better equipped, and can balance our own areas of deficits enabling the achievement of the bigger goal.

As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:12, “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.

So DADS…I have two questions for you...

Will you acknowledge, and maximize your leadership role?

And who do you need to empower today?

DADs…let’s prepare to be the leader today. While always looking for those to empower along the way.

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to“Empower." Later this week we will consider how critical it is to prepare for considering how to “Evaluate"in our lives.

*For this new year of 2021, the combination of my age (understanding my own fragile mortality), this current and ongoing global pandemic, and most recently the personal loss I’ve experienced of one of my students, has amplified the need to land on one word...#Prepare.

In this "pursuit to prepare" I am determined to dedicate the 52 weeks of 2021 blogging every Week about one aspect of preparation God lays on my heart.

As mentioned in week 1, the word “prepare” means “to establish, fix, or apply.” It conveys the idea of deliberate effort over a prolonged period of time.