John Stanko

"When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments" - 2 Timothy 4:13.

In the days of the Apostle Paul, there were few libraries and fewer books that could populate them, for writing materials and literacy were scarce. The Jews were all literate for one reason: so they could read and study God's word. Paul was a Pharisee, and that group devoted large chunks of their lives to reading and study. It is no wonder then that God chose Paul to be the lead apostle to the Gentiles, for Paul was not only learned but also kept on learning and growing. Leaders in any field should follow Paul's example and continue to grow and gather knowledge, both in their field of expertise and in the leadership skills they need to promote organizational and personal success.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to map out a reading program for the rest of the year. Keep in mind that your reading can be listening, for there are many good audio books on the market, and many ways to obtain or download those books. First, choose the area on which you would like to focus your reading. Then identify the books of interest in that area. Finally, make reading (or listening) a part of your daily routine, even if it is only for a few minutes.