Cultivating the Leader’s Inner Life: Insights from the “Lead to Serve” Podcast
In episode 2 of season 6, we dive into the theme of “The Leader’s Inner Life.” Pastor Bob shares his journey as a new believer, navigating communal living and church hypocrisy, shaping his understanding of authentic godliness. We discuss the importance of daily devotionals and spiritual health for effective leadership, including practical ways to cultivate a deep relationship with God. Join us as we have an open and honest talk that becomes a guide for leaders seeking personal and spiritual growth.
The Early Days of Faith
We start today’s conversation with Pastor Bob sharing some of the lessons he learned from his early believer days that included communal living. He recounts his time living in a communal setting with friends who, like him, were disillusioned by the hypocrisy they observed in the church. Their goal was to emulate the early Christians depicted in the Book of Acts, striving for a life of authenticity. Pastor Bob shares that he encountered a reality check. He quickly learned that idealism often clashes with reality. He even shared a humorous yet telling incident involving a friend driving with his eyes closed that served as a wake-up call. Pastor Bob emphasizes that while they aimed to emulate the early church, they were still young and inexperienced in their faith. However, despite their shortcomings, they experienced significant spiritual growth, witnessing people come to faith and even experiencing miraculous healings. This period laid the foundation for Pastor Bob’s understanding of godliness as an inner quality rather than merely an outward appearance.
The Importance of Spiritual Health
I can’t underscore the importance of the inner life for leaders. I believe that a leader’s effectiveness is directly tied to their spiritual health and authenticity. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:8, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Don’t misunderstand me here. Taking care of your body is important. Exercise and eating right are important. But cultivating a godly inner life is far more beneficial.
Daily Devotionals: A Key Practice
A leader must prioritize their relationship with God, engaging in daily Bible reading and prayer. This practice not only nourishes our own spiritual life but also equips us to serve others effectively. We have to guard against the danger of hypocrisy, where leaders may appear godly on the outside while neglecting their inner spiritual health. I encourage you to cultivate a genuine relationship with God, which will naturally flow into your leadership and service.
Engaging with Scripture
Pastor Bob and I both agree that daily devotionals are necessary for nurturing the inner life. You would be surprised that even a single verse in Proverbs can prompt deep reflection and connection with God. The goal of reading the Bible should not be merely to prepare us for teaching or preaching but to help us engage with God personally.
Authentic Prayer
Pastor Bob adds that maintaining authenticity in prayer is crucial. He describes his prayer walks, during which he communicates openly with God, acknowledging his thoughts and feelings without pretense. This practice helps him stay grounded and focused on his relationship with God rather than getting caught up in the expectations of others.
Continuous Connection with God
As our conversation progresses, Pastor Bob and I discuss practical ways to cultivate the inner life. Both of us desire to finish our race well by continuing to take steps of faith and being willing to follow His leading wherever it takes us!
3 Things to Integrate into Your Daily Living
Listen, our inner life should not be isolated to specific events or practices. Developing it should be integrated into daily life. Many people compartmentalize their spiritual lives, treating their inner life as a separate entity rather than allowing it to permeate every aspect of their existence. I encourage you to do these three things every day!
- Read your Bible – every day!
- Pray – every day!
- Do what the Lord tells you to do – every day!
It is so important to invest in one’s inner life. This investment will not only benefit your own personal growth but also enhance your ability to lead and serve others effectively, allowing you to lead with integrity and compassion.
We desire to partner with you in your spiritual journey. Begin doing these three things every day, and tell us how it goes! We invite your feedback and want to encourage you to share with us and others how this podcast is impacting your lives. Leave us a comment or email.
Key Takeaways from today’s episode:
- Authenticity in Faith: Embrace a genuine relationship with God, free from pretense.
- Daily Devotionals: Be in the Word daily to nourish your spiritual life.
- Daily Prayer: Maintain an open and honest dialogue with God, acknowledging your thoughts and feelings.
- Be Obedient: Allow the Lord to lead you and be willing to do what He says.
- Continuous Growth: View your spiritual journey as a continuous process, integrating it into every aspect of your life.
- Invest in the Inner Life: Prioritize your inner life to enhance your leadership and service to others.
