John Stanko

“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land" - Leviticus 26:3-5.

In this passage, the Lord promised to take care of the things His people had no power to control—like weather, growing conditions, crop yield—if His people would take of the things that were under their control—obedience to His commands and decrees. This was commonly known as a covenant in Old Testament times in which both parties outlined mutual responsibilities with the benefits and punishments for keeping or breaking the covenant clearly defined. Leaders must humble themselves and realize that, while they work hard and usually have tremendous skills and expertise, they are still dependent on God's help in what they do, for there is much of it that is out of their control. Consequently, they should recognize their dependence on Him and thank Him for their ability to lead and be productive, while they stay true to their ethical and spiritual obligations regardless of what business they are in.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to examine your productivity to recognize God's role in your accomplishments. Can you see God's hand in your work? When you do, thank Him for His protection and empowerment. Also acknowledge that He had a hand in the things  you do well, for He equipped you with the gifts and skills to get the job done—and provided your job as well. If your productivity has slipped, however, is it due to faulty obedience to God's commands and not lack of performance or diligence in your job?