Different Window Same Man

My wife and I are in the midst of a week long personal retreat. More than a vacation, it's a time to rest and renew the two most important relationships in our lives. We're focusing on our individual spiritual journeys with the Forgiver and the journey of intimacy we share together.

On Wednesday afternoon we sat in a coffee house in Delafield, Wisconsin and I was editing a previous Man in the Window entry for distribution. As she finished proofing the draft for me she got up from the table, patted me on the shoulder and said, "Different coffee house, still the Man in the Window."

What a profound truth. Cheryl touched on one of the goals of my own spiritual journey. For a number of years now I have been cultivating my personal walk with God with the regular faithful exercise of spiritual disciplines believing that those disciplines would define my character as a follower of Jesus. Long ago I became fed up with being a different man in public and a different man at home. I grew tired of the façade, the mask of spirituality that was too easy to put on enroute to the church service, a study or the office. Like so many people, I wore different masks and my spirituality was just another mask I put on.

When I finally became dissatisfied with the masks, I sought to become a man defined by the habit of seeking the Forgiver's face in prolonged quiet times, in devotion, and study. And today it dawned on me just how true it was becoming. I am the Man in the Window, the man who now seeks God's presence as a priority, a man who feels lost when he allows the disciplines to become lax. No matter where I am, I am that man.

Here is a great question for every leader. Are the disciplines you practice shaping who you are becoming? The disciplines don't change us, but they keep putting us in a place where his grace can change us. Are your disciplines leading you toward who you're destined to be?

Different window, same man.

Leading in the Caves

I was reading in 1 Samuel the other week and I was reminded of a truth that is often lost today. Leadership cannot be equated with glory.

David has been fleeing from Saul's fury and jealousy. Having hidden himself among the Philistines in Gath for a period of time, but facing the opposition of King Achish's men, David flees again. As chapter 22 opens David is hiding in the Cave of Adullam. His brothers and other relatives join him there. All those who were discontent, in trouble or in debt gathered there with him. It's a pretty ugly picture; one man fleeing for his life and a bunch of other malcontents hiding in a cave. Yet it is this group of broken, discouraged men that David assumes leadership over. Hiding in a cave a leader rises. It is here that the leader of mighty men emerges.

It is too easy to equate leadership and glory. It is too easy as a leader to expect accolades, too easy to long for recognition, too easy to self promote. It is too easy to long for the palaces, the people, the crowds. David emerges as a leader away from glory. Real leaders emerge in the trenches away from the limelight. It is there that their leadership is proven.

Lebron James gets a lot of credit as a great on-the-court leader for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is in the limelight every night he ties on his shoes, but when you listen to his teammates, you discover where his leadership was born. Lebron leads in the trenches of daily practices and weight room sessions.

Real leaders lead in the trenches, in the hard places often away from the glory.

David led in the cave. Where does your leadership shine?

Real leaders lead.