Get on Your Hobby Horse!

 Hobby Horse-interesting term.  Sometimes we think of a child's riding toy that consists of a long stick with an imitation horse's head on one end.

 

Britophiles, or anglophiles in love with British culture, might recognize a hobby horse as a costume, a figure of a horse worn attached to the waist of a dancer.  They are particularly associated with May Day celebrations in England.

 

In its entomology, the term morphed first into a designation for a favorite hobby.  From there it degenerated into a more negative connotation.  Most of us would think of the term in association with someone who frequently brings up or dwells on the same topic, a topic that borders on a fixation.

 

So while camped out in 2 Peter the other day, I was surprised to see Peter unashamedly on a hobby horse.

 

¹² Therefore, I will always remind you about these things-even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. ¹³ And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. ¹⁴ For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, ¹⁵ so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.

 

Peter understood that there were certain things that should continually be remembered-things so critical that if we lose sight of them, it will be detrimental to our walk, our witness, our life.  So he kept declaring those truths.  He climbed on his hobby horse and preached, taught it again.

 

It dawned on me as I read how critical a leadership principle this is.  There are certain things that leaders know are vital to advancing the mission, certain things that keep you moving forward, certain things that keep you focused.

 

Hobby Horses-fixations we keep coming back to that define us as leaders.

 

Here are mine.

• It's all about the relationship with Christ.
• The word always communicates with power and relevancy.
• Prayer is vital.
• Loving others is the environment of all ministry.
• Always expect God to show up and show off.
• Relationships, Relationships, Relationships

What are yours, the hobby horses that define you, your leadership?

 

Climb back on.

 

The Man in the Window