servant leadership

Control Freak

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

1 Corinthians 9:25

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Do you focus on the things you cannot control?

Do you have a strong desire to control the people and environment around you rather than your emotions?

When working on a team, do you have to dictate everyone’s behavior?

Do you believe you know what is best for everyone and make people act a certain way?

Do you focus your time and energy on preventing bad things to happen because of your hidden doubt to manage difficult situations?

Do you find it difficult to delegate tasks? If you do, than do you insist on micromanaging every step of the way?

If you answer yes to any of these, you may be a control freak. As a reformed control addict, I know. I’ve been there. Done it. And have the scars to show.

In my early twenties, still single, and the world my play-box, I struggled to relate with people in the workplace. I was very task-oriented. People were the means to the end. In other words, my self-centered approach was to use people for the things I wanted to do. I egotistically knew best. If you worked for me, it was my way or the highway. It wasn’t pretty.

But, through the grace of God, HE opened my eyes. I repented from the sinful approach of being a dictator of others. Instead, I learn to trust God and His Spirit. I learn to delegate without strings attached. The end result was learning to lead people and manage systems.

How does one learn to best lead others?

The best way is to learn from others. We start first with your relationship with the Triune God. How does He lead you? When He delegates an assignment to you? Does He generally give you specific details in how to carry it out? Or does He simple nudge you in a certain way and allow you to express your personality and skill set? Does He force you to comply? Or does He allow you to choose?

When you have a working relationship with the living God, you learn from Him. You experience the fruit of mutual submission. You learn the importance of self-control over controlling others. You learn to give space for others to reflect God’s character in them. You allow people to become who God created them to be. You take part with Him and others in their adventurous journey of transformation in Christ.

Yes, being a control freak reduces your potential as a person. You rob yourself from fully experiencing the power of trusting God. You weaken your relationship with Him. Faith becomes only a word. You isolate yourself from allowing God’s Spirit to fully transform you into His image. You end up fighting against Him. You hurt yourself in the process. You also hurt those whom you love.

When you force people to submit to your whims, you also rob God the opportunity to fully express His character through them. You play god. You become an idol. You are stealing from Him. You are preventing people around you to become the person God created them to be.

I also had the opportunity to work for two gentlemen who taught me the godly way of balancing relationships with business outcomes. They exercised integrity and character in all their relationships. God knew what I needed at the time and provided the environment and means to change my ways.

Yes, we are all broken. Some more than others. But broken still. So when God’s Spirit opens your eyes to see yourself in the mirror of Jesus, don’t hesitate. Repent. Ask Him to show you and empower you to become more like Him. This includes admitting our sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings. It hurts the pride meter. But this is good. When you allow His Spirit full entrance into your heart and mind, you will begin to experience more of God’s fruit. Yes, there will be stumbles. There will be short-term failure. But the road leads to Him.

With Him, you become less of a control freak and more of a trusting comrade working with Him to extend His Kingdom. You will more fully grasp the love of God. You will work along with the Holy Spirit. You will align His purpose with your micro plans to live a full, abiding life in Christ. And you will enrich the lives of others along the way.     

Yes, when I became a Jesus freak, I waved goodbye being a control freak.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Is Jesus the Core of Your Business?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

Colossians 1:15-17

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

At the end of teaching each course, I leave students with one thought to carry with them throughout their business career. That paradigm is to always remember Jesus Christ is the core of your business.

In our culture today, people are taught that the primary purpose of business is to make money. Yet when profit becomes the main thing, greed explodes.  Then carnal desire rises to prominence. Afterward the fall from pride leads to pain and suffering for all stakeholders holding the last card. How many people have lost their retirement investments by someone who built a business upon smoke and mirrors? Business without moral discipline causes greater problems than if the business never began.

Even when businesses are economically successful, they may struggle with internal division. Labor and management battle between themselves. The end result is low morale and an unengaged culture.

Business, like lives, need to be built on a strong foundation to survive the storms of life. Otherwise, the economic community may collapse into ruin from the sheer weight of poor decisions.

Yet as Christ-followers we are privileged to know the reality of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians to emphasize the important position Jesus holds over all creation. And as HIS servant, we now enjoy the honor of participating with HIM as stewards of HIS domain.

So if you are given the opportunity to operate a business, Christ’s teachings will give you greater insight into how best to serve your customer.

No, following Christ does not guarantee a successful venture. The weak link will always be you, me or outside uncontrollable events. But allowing HIM to lead you, coach you, and discipline you, will prepare you for eternity. Isn’t this HIS primary macro purpose for us? The business is simply a vehicle to provide for your family, other families, and the community while glorifying HIM through good work.

Yes, when Jesus Christ is the core of your business, you allow your faith to support HIM and serve your customers as HIS witness. The byproduct is freedom to live your faith. The opportunity is to flourish within HIS creation. And real fulfillment is found serving others with HIM.      

So always remember: Jesus Christ is the core of your business.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Learn & Grow with these eBooks:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

The Real Issue

Dr. Mike 2023 , , , ,

1 Corinthians 1:23

“…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles…(ESV)

Some days I shake my head in disbelief at the cultural confusion caused by illogical and unreasonable leaders pushing their personal agenda without considering the long-term consequences.

When a society bullies those who are less fortunate to maintain their positional status, then it is only time before they themselves experience the same fortune.

I remember in grade school playing a game called “king of the hill.” There was a four-foot mound of dirt that was considered the hill. Someone would stand at the top of this small hill and fight to keep everyone else off of it. The one who would knock the person off the mound would receive the right to stand on the hill and claim the kingship role. As young boys full of energy and rowdiness, we would spend lunch time pushing each other off to gain control of the top. The one who remained standing when the lunch period ended was considered the king for the day.

As an adult, I look at many of the games being played in the institutional, governmental, and business arena and I recall the king of the hill game. Young, immature boys and girls are still playing the same game, but the consequences and stakes are substantially higher. But now instead of finishing the day with a few people with torn pants and bruised shinbones, large groups of people are being displaced, families torn apart, and communities abandoned by those whom they need most.

Leaders find themselves in shock when people do not want to follow them. When leaders quit serving the people and become autocrats, they have lost their way. But even though many have told them that, they do not want to relinquish their position at the top of the hill. Instead, they keep fighting to stay at the top.

At the end of the day, I am more sure than ever before of the importance of Jesus Christ in one’s life. When you meet people who have accepted being accountability to Him, their lives take on a whole new venue. They are no longer blinded by their carnal desires. Instead, a new Spirit of service toward others and trust in a Master Designer who we call God has a purpose which He gladly shares with us, and we are humbly grateful for this opportunity.

Yes, many who do not know Him continue their blatantly destructive ways because He doesn’t have what they want. Rather than pursue Him and put Him to the test, they rely on their self-importance to get what they want from life – no matter who or what they have to destroy along the way.

Yes, the real issue is choosing to follow Him or not. For those who have chosen, they have found a richer meaning to life that pleasures of money or power, or fame cannot even come close to duplicate. For those who have not decided to follow the King of Kings, they keep stumbling around, showcasing their ignorance as brilliance, and fearful someone will soon knock them off the top of their hill.

Keep preaching Christ through your actions. Maybe use a few words when necessary. And hopefully, those around you will soon realize what the real issue is and make the decision to accept the reality of Jesus Christ. Yes, the Jewish faith can’t accept HIS accomplishment on the cross and likewise the Gentiles find the cross to be mentally foolish, but for those who acknowledge Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross can only marvel and humbly submit themselves under HIS authority.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager, Faith-Integrator, Scribbler

Available for Your Devotional Study: 

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved