1 Corinthians 13

If I cast vision with the tongues of men and angels,

but lead without the love of God at my core,

I am a ringing cell phone or worse,

a clamoring vacuous corporate type.

If I have the gift of leadership and can provide direction,

build teams, and set goals, but fail to exhibit Christ-like kindness

or give Christ the credit for my accomplishments,

In the eyes of God, all my achievements count for precisely nothing.

If I give my salary to the poor, my reserved parking space to an intern,

or my deacons' bodies to be burned, but neglect to relate

and work in a manner worthy of the One whose name I bear,

In the final analysis, it all counts for precisely nothing.

A close, humble walk with Christ never fails.

It strengthens the heart, redirects the will,

restrains the ego, and purifies the motives.

It never fails.

When I was a young leader, independent and too busy to pray,

I blew stuff up and wounded every third person I led.

But now that I am mature and have left my childish ways ...

I do that somewhat less!

And now these three remain:

the faith to follow God boldly

the hope to press on even when my heart is breaking

and the love to enrich the hearts of all those I lead.

But the greatest of these is love --

the love that only comes from a quiet, close, daily walk with Christ.