The Inspired Leader: 101 Biblical Reflections for Becoming a Person of Influence Read Online Free PDF Page B

and CEO, KForce, Inc.
    LAST MOTHER'S DAY my wife and I had the opportunity to visit my 84-year-old widowed mother who lives 1,200 miles away. As we talked and caught up, I found myself excitedly relaying all that God was doing in my life and as my passion increased, my mom stopped me and said, “You know, I always thought you would be a priest.” Our family has a long history in the Catholic faith (including my years as an altar boy), so our image of a priest was white starched collars and black robes. There are many references to priests (1 Peter 2:5) throughout Scripture but especially important to me is 1 Samuel 2:35: “Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever.”
    As we grow in our faith and understanding of what it means to be called by God, it can be intimidating to consider that we are the priests He is referring to in the above passage. In fact, we know that priests and pastors are not restricted to clerics ministering in church buildings adorned with crosses. A defining moment in the life of a committed follower of Jesus Christ occurs with the realization that we are priests, and that as priests we hold a special responsibility to be “faithful” in carrying out what is on the Lord’s heart and mind.
    We, of course, are not capable in and of ourselves of the faithfulness God asks of us. Fortunately, the High Priest, JesusChrist, lives in us through the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2: 20; Colossians 1: 27). As the High Priest, He commissions, guides, and empowers us to be “faithful” and to execute what is on His heart. Our role is to accept this commission and diligently seek Him with all our heart, mind, and souls—hearing His voice and being obedient to His priestly assignments.
    The rewards of obedience to what is on the Lord’s heart and mind are clearly stated: “I will build him a sure house and he shall walk before My anointed forever .” In our role as “faithful” priest, God has given us a confidence built upon His firm foundation so that our walk is along the path that He has ordained uniquely for us. The significance of this promise should not be overlooked and any risk taken or effort required pales in comparison to the promised reward. So, “Lord, I come before You in humility and awe and ask that You work through Your servant to do what is on Your heart and on Your mind; so that I may be Your faithful priest in the assignment You have given me for Your plans and purposes in the marketplace. I love You Lord and trust in Your promise of a sure house and to walk before Your Anointed forever.”
    By the way, I answered my mom promptly and directly, “I am, Mom. I am a priest and I am serving the Lord in His ministry field in business.” Thankfully I don’t have to wear a starched collar or black robe.
    REFLECT FOR A MOMENT
Do you see yourself as a priest? If so, how? If not, why not?
Are you confident you know what is on God’s heart and mind? If so, list some of those things.
Take a few moments to spend time with God and ask Him to lay over your heart what is on His.
Thy Kingdom Come… Now!

    Lawrence A. Collett
    Chairman of the Board, Cass Information Systems, Inc.
    WE UTTER THIS statement every time we repeat the Lord’s Prayer. It is accompanied by the connecting phrase “ on earth as it is in heaven .” In making this request we are generally focused on some future event. We visualize an “end time” period when God will transform the earth, as we know it. His Kingdom will then be present and its rule effective on this planet.
    Biblical reality, however, places the kingdom within our grasp now. We can, and should, expect to see the many facets of the kingdom expressed in our lives, daily. What prohibits us from doing so?
    In addition to deferring this reality to a future event, we also have a tendency to limit the performance of the