by Pastor Brad Carter
Leaving A Legacy
One thing that few people know about me is that I DO NOT like to write. That may seem strange being that I love to talk so much but when it comes to sitting down with pen and paper, I have very little desire to do it. However in 2021, I was in prayer with the Lord and expressed my desire to leave a legacy for my 3 kids. And I felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to begin journaling. I knew that had to be the Lord because as aforementioned, I don’t like writing! But I began keeping a “little black book” for my time with the Lord. I had no idea the lessons I would learn in this time with the Father.
Garden Time
Surprisingly that time and activity has become one of my favorite things to do now and I call it my “Garden Time”. Remember when God placed Adam in Eden and told him that his responsibility was to “tend” to the garden? Well, my garden is my heart. Now, I’m so non-industrial when it comes to true gardening that I’m not sure I could grow a single weed. However, when it comes to my heart, I have developed a green thumb.
I share this with you because I would like to invite you into some of my special dialogue with The Father, and the lessons I have learned. A couple of weeks ago, after turning the calendar over for the new year, I decided to revisit my black book to see what lessons I’ve learned this year. Most of these thoughts are in the context of leadership but they certainly can apply outside of that lens. So I thought that sharing some of these “highlights” from 2024 might help someone who reads it. If not, perhaps it will at least entertain you for the next few moments.
Leading For Affirmation Robs You Of Courage
The number one lesson from 2024 for me was that leading for affirmation robs you of courage. So many people are uber consumed with the opinions of others. And I get it, I actually do. I mean who doesn’t want to be liked? But a paradigm shift for me has been to focus on what matters. Accepting that the people that like you for who you are and not what you do are really the ones that matter. In leadership, inferiority can poison the tank of your passion. Inferiority hijacks authority. We should never “do” in order to “be.” We all know someone who only cares for us based on what we can do for them.
I’m sure I’ve been guilty of that same relational crime towards others. But we have to war against the idea of allowing our production to become our value. If your affirmation is a reward for your achievement; you will become a slave to performance. The danger with that is you never can do enough. At the end of the day, I have to remind myself that I’m already ACCEPTED in the BELOVED!
You Are Accepted And Beloved
Remember that God is not respecter of persons. He only has children, no grandchildren. That means He’s your Father and He loves you. Let me encourage you to explore spending some “Garden Time” with The Father. He longs to spend more time with you. And your life will only be improved from tending your garden with Him.
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