Leader's Notebook
Two Letters Can Make A Difference
by Katie Harding on March 18, 2019
Sometimes it's just two letters that make all the difference in the world.
In reading Isaiah 53 several weeks ago, I got to verse 10 and drew a breath. "But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief;..." For some reason, I was expecting the next word to be "so." Almost like it was the Father's plan and Jesus was just going along with it, but the next two letters weren't "s-o.” Instead, they were "I-F."
Even Jesus had a choice. "IF He would render Himself as a guilt offering,.."
Yet, God is not about taking life, but giving life.
It's what comes after the IF that explains why God was pleased to let Jesus suffer. When there's an IF, it's always followed by a THEN. IF Jesus would surrender His life to the Father, THEN Jesus "will see His offspring, prolong His days and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand."
Sometimes the choice (the IF) seems so painful, but we have to remember that God is a good God and always wants what's best for us. Unfortunately though, growth (the THEN) doesn’t usually happen without pain. The choice is always ours, but so are the rewards.
Choose wisely.
Sometimes it's just two letters that make all the difference in the world.
In reading Isaiah 53 several weeks ago, I got to verse 10 and drew a breath. "But the LORD was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief;..." For some reason, I was expecting the next word to be "so." Almost like it was the Father's plan and Jesus was just going along with it, but the next two letters weren't "s-o.” Instead, they were "I-F."
Even Jesus had a choice. "IF He would render Himself as a guilt offering,.."
Yet, God is not about taking life, but giving life.
It's what comes after the IF that explains why God was pleased to let Jesus suffer. When there's an IF, it's always followed by a THEN. IF Jesus would surrender His life to the Father, THEN Jesus "will see His offspring, prolong His days and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand."
Sometimes the choice (the IF) seems so painful, but we have to remember that God is a good God and always wants what's best for us. Unfortunately though, growth (the THEN) doesn’t usually happen without pain. The choice is always ours, but so are the rewards.
Choose wisely.
The Ultimate Gift Exchange
by Katie Harding on December 3, 2018
One of the first presents under our Christmas tree this year is wrapped in a bag with the word “Believe” written across it. Every time I look at the bag, I wonder what do we REALLY believe about Christmas? Who or what are we celebrating this year?
Although we say Christmas is about Jesus and our intention is to celebrate His birth, our actions can often give us a different perspective of reality. Sometimes, somewhere between intention and action, our focus can change.
Without even realizing it, we can get caught up in the “have-to” dynamics of the season. We feel we have to get the tree up and the house decorated. We have to buy gifts for family and friends and bake goodies for colleagues and neighbors. We have to wrap presents, attend concerts and plan parties. We have to order cards, print letters and box and ship packages. We have to purchase Christmas Eve dresses for our little girls and darling sweater outfits for our little boys, in addition to the brand new pajamas for our children to wear on Christmas morning as they unwrap their brand-new toys.
All of this we say we do in celebration of Jesus and His birth.
Yet, Jesus was never about the “have-to.” In fact, He was all about the “don’t-have-to.” We don’t have to worry, fear or doubt. We don’t have to hunger or thirst. We don’t have to feel condemned, ashamed or guilty. We don’t have to walk in darkness, wander aimlessly or wonder if we will ever measure up or be good enough. We don’t have to, at all or anymore, because of Jesus.
His was the ultimate gift exchange. He came into the world, showed us a different way to live and offered His life for our sins. But it didn’t end there. He came back—to let us know the price is paid, and He’s still around.
And then, as if that wasn’t enough, He gave us a second part to the gift. Without us having to clean up or dress up, He sent His Spirit into the darkness of our lives to bring light and order to His new dwelling place. And there He resides today with each of His believers—guiding us to make better choices, letting us experience His peace and filling us with His joy.
Jesus’ birth ultimately made it possible for us to become dwelling places of the Almighty God. It doesn’t get any better than that! This is what I want to celebrate!
As we prepare for Christmas this year, I invite you to join me in discovering ways we can intentionally celebrate Christ, and not become overwhelmed with the "have-tos." I pray we will all find rest in the ultimate gift exchange.
One of the first presents under our Christmas tree this year is wrapped in a bag with the word “Believe” written across it. Every time I look at the bag, I wonder what do we REALLY believe about Christmas? Who or what are we celebrating this year?
Although we say Christmas is about Jesus and our intention is to celebrate His birth, our actions can often give us a different perspective of reality. Sometimes, somewhere between intention and action, our focus can change.
Without even realizing it, we can get caught up in the “have-to” dynamics of the season. We feel we have to get the tree up and the house decorated. We have to buy gifts for family and friends and bake goodies for colleagues and neighbors. We have to wrap presents, attend concerts and plan parties. We have to order cards, print letters and box and ship packages. We have to purchase Christmas Eve dresses for our little girls and darling sweater outfits for our little boys, in addition to the brand new pajamas for our children to wear on Christmas morning as they unwrap their brand-new toys.
All of this we say we do in celebration of Jesus and His birth.
Yet, Jesus was never about the “have-to.” In fact, He was all about the “don’t-have-to.” We don’t have to worry, fear or doubt. We don’t have to hunger or thirst. We don’t have to feel condemned, ashamed or guilty. We don’t have to walk in darkness, wander aimlessly or wonder if we will ever measure up or be good enough. We don’t have to, at all or anymore, because of Jesus.
His was the ultimate gift exchange. He came into the world, showed us a different way to live and offered His life for our sins. But it didn’t end there. He came back—to let us know the price is paid, and He’s still around.
And then, as if that wasn’t enough, He gave us a second part to the gift. Without us having to clean up or dress up, He sent His Spirit into the darkness of our lives to bring light and order to His new dwelling place. And there He resides today with each of His believers—guiding us to make better choices, letting us experience His peace and filling us with His joy.
Jesus’ birth ultimately made it possible for us to become dwelling places of the Almighty God. It doesn’t get any better than that! This is what I want to celebrate!
As we prepare for Christmas this year, I invite you to join me in discovering ways we can intentionally celebrate Christ, and not become overwhelmed with the "have-tos." I pray we will all find rest in the ultimate gift exchange.
Being a Christian Does Not a Disciple Make
by Katie Harding on July 27, 2018
I wish I could tell you that I have degrees from Harvard and initials after my name and that my insight comes from the academic world and years of study. But I can’t. Instead, what I can tell you is that every day for almost twenty years I have sat at the feet of the most humble individual ever to walk the face of the earth, listening, learning and leaning in to gain further insight.
I have sat with Jesus…
In December of 2000, everything in my spiritual journey began to change. My mother died. Praying over her body in the casket was the first time I really saw the separation of the physical body and the spirit. I realized that which made her laugh and love was no longer present. It was her spirit, I determined, that made her who she was. Not until years later did I gain a more complete understanding of that moment.
Shortly thereafter, I returned to the dental field to help a colleague manage his practice. Months later I was still grieving and feeling tired. Tired from striving for success and tired from managing a staff of women who were often at odds with one another. But as I drove home from the office one night, I reached the end of myself. I descended the exit ramp from the toll road as I did each evening, and suddenly I heard myself saying, “Father, I am burned out and broken. I am tired of having to plan everything myself and tired of manipulating others to get things done.”
In that moment, I surrendered. Everything. It was the last five percent I had clung to for so many years that I was finally willing to let go of. Like so many others, I was fearful of giving up total control, but I felt done, so I continued: “Whatever You want me to do, I will do. Wherever You want me to go, I will go.” After which I added the following caveat: “However, if You want me to go to ‘Africa,’ You tell Mike (my husband).” I figured I didn’t want to be the one to break that kind of news to him.
I had been a Christian for 29 years, but being a Christian doesn’t make one a disciple. One professes a belief and the other lives out a way of life. It’s like the difference between being religious versus being in relationship. As a Christian, I was faithfully religious—in church on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, Saturday mornings and any other time that required attendance for the most current activity. But when I came home, my Bible was placed on the banister, only to be picked up again the next time I headed for the church building and another churchy event. There was a real disconnect between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus.
From that night on the toll road forward, I started pursuing a relationship with the One I had professed to love for so long. The following morning, I got up early to pray, but it didn’t work out so well. Having a teenager in the house and being up late made it difficult to stay awake as I began my prayers. The next morning, I decided to try praying with my eyes open. Again, another failed attempt. I was totally distracted by the things out of place in our living room and kitchen. So on the third morning, I decided to write out my prayers. The more I wrote, the more I listened. The more I listened, the more I heard. The more I heard, the more I wrote. I was on my way to developing an intimate relationship with the Greatest Influencer the world has ever known.
It changed my life and has left me astounded. Not primarily by what I have learned, but what I realized I never knew or understood. I have heard much truth, had even more questions and been convicted in so many ways that I no longer recognize myself as the woman I once was.
The One who was just my Savior became my Lord that night on the exit ramp, and there was no turning back. There was nothing more I wanted to do than to be His disciple and follow Him. To learn His ways, glean His truths and just sit in His presence. It was peace-giving and life-sustaining.
Though God didn’t call us to Africa, life didn’t get easier as I got to know Jesus more. In fact, just the opposite. I encountered serious health issues and our marriage hit incredible difficulties that almost destroyed it. But being in relationship with Jesus every day gave me the strength to persevere and allow Him to work in the midst of significant pain.
What I discovered was being a disciple of Jesus—having a day-to-day relationship and learning from Him—reframed everything about life. It changed my attitudes, actions and behavioral patterns. It changed my personality, pride and timidity. And most of all, it changed my choices and desires, because it changed me. He changed me. And He still changes me today as He continually awakens my heart to greater understanding of His Word.
Growing up in the church, many Christians say they have never experienced life transformation in the same way others do who come to faith as adults. But I believe becoming a disciple of Jesus is transformative for everyone. It changes you from the inside out as you grow in an ever-deepening relationship with Him.
If you haven’t surrendered the last five percent, I invite you to do so today and become an all-in disciple of Jesus. It will change your life. Every moment. Every day. #SurrenderTheLastFive
I wish I could tell you that I have degrees from Harvard and initials after my name and that my insight comes from the academic world and years of study. But I can’t. Instead, what I can tell you is that every day for almost twenty years I have sat at the feet of the most humble individual ever to walk the face of the earth, listening, learning and leaning in to gain further insight.
I have sat with Jesus…
In December of 2000, everything in my spiritual journey began to change. My mother died. Praying over her body in the casket was the first time I really saw the separation of the physical body and the spirit. I realized that which made her laugh and love was no longer present. It was her spirit, I determined, that made her who she was. Not until years later did I gain a more complete understanding of that moment.
Shortly thereafter, I returned to the dental field to help a colleague manage his practice. Months later I was still grieving and feeling tired. Tired from striving for success and tired from managing a staff of women who were often at odds with one another. But as I drove home from the office one night, I reached the end of myself. I descended the exit ramp from the toll road as I did each evening, and suddenly I heard myself saying, “Father, I am burned out and broken. I am tired of having to plan everything myself and tired of manipulating others to get things done.”
In that moment, I surrendered. Everything. It was the last five percent I had clung to for so many years that I was finally willing to let go of. Like so many others, I was fearful of giving up total control, but I felt done, so I continued: “Whatever You want me to do, I will do. Wherever You want me to go, I will go.” After which I added the following caveat: “However, if You want me to go to ‘Africa,’ You tell Mike (my husband).” I figured I didn’t want to be the one to break that kind of news to him.
I had been a Christian for 29 years, but being a Christian doesn’t make one a disciple. One professes a belief and the other lives out a way of life. It’s like the difference between being religious versus being in relationship. As a Christian, I was faithfully religious—in church on Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, Wednesday nights, Saturday mornings and any other time that required attendance for the most current activity. But when I came home, my Bible was placed on the banister, only to be picked up again the next time I headed for the church building and another churchy event. There was a real disconnect between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus.
From that night on the toll road forward, I started pursuing a relationship with the One I had professed to love for so long. The following morning, I got up early to pray, but it didn’t work out so well. Having a teenager in the house and being up late made it difficult to stay awake as I began my prayers. The next morning, I decided to try praying with my eyes open. Again, another failed attempt. I was totally distracted by the things out of place in our living room and kitchen. So on the third morning, I decided to write out my prayers. The more I wrote, the more I listened. The more I listened, the more I heard. The more I heard, the more I wrote. I was on my way to developing an intimate relationship with the Greatest Influencer the world has ever known.
It changed my life and has left me astounded. Not primarily by what I have learned, but what I realized I never knew or understood. I have heard much truth, had even more questions and been convicted in so many ways that I no longer recognize myself as the woman I once was.
The One who was just my Savior became my Lord that night on the exit ramp, and there was no turning back. There was nothing more I wanted to do than to be His disciple and follow Him. To learn His ways, glean His truths and just sit in His presence. It was peace-giving and life-sustaining.
Though God didn’t call us to Africa, life didn’t get easier as I got to know Jesus more. In fact, just the opposite. I encountered serious health issues and our marriage hit incredible difficulties that almost destroyed it. But being in relationship with Jesus every day gave me the strength to persevere and allow Him to work in the midst of significant pain.
What I discovered was being a disciple of Jesus—having a day-to-day relationship and learning from Him—reframed everything about life. It changed my attitudes, actions and behavioral patterns. It changed my personality, pride and timidity. And most of all, it changed my choices and desires, because it changed me. He changed me. And He still changes me today as He continually awakens my heart to greater understanding of His Word.
Growing up in the church, many Christians say they have never experienced life transformation in the same way others do who come to faith as adults. But I believe becoming a disciple of Jesus is transformative for everyone. It changes you from the inside out as you grow in an ever-deepening relationship with Him.
If you haven’t surrendered the last five percent, I invite you to do so today and become an all-in disciple of Jesus. It will change your life. Every moment. Every day. #SurrenderTheLastFive
Women of Influence
Recently as I was praying, the following phrase came from the Lord, “Women who are leaders and devoted to Me can change the world.”
As I reflected on those words, my thoughts were drawn to a few very specific women in the Bible— those who went to the tomb that first Easter morning. They were leaders, women of influence, and they influenced not only each other, but their actions are still influencing us today.
These women were brave enough to journey with Jesus to the cross, despite the animosity of the crowd. They didn’t run away when they saw Christ being persecuted; in fact, they remained steadfast and focused until the end, even when others of His followers fled.
They were humble and caring and willing to do what needed to be done, when it needed to be done. They didn’t hesitate and weren’t timid. They were ordinary women open to being used by God for his extraordinary purposes.
After Jesus was laid in the tomb, the women went home that night to prepare the burial spices, and then they took a very important step. They stopped. Instead of rushing to get their task done, they rested quietly on the Sabbath and didn’t let their work get in the way of their worship. It gave them each the time to prepare their body, mind and spirit for what God had laid on their hearts to do. And when the sun rose the next morning, so did the women. They
went out early and without delay. They didn’t exhibit any fear or concern of how they were going to move the big boulder in front of the tomb.
Instead, they trusted, and their trust in God made them bold, determined and disciplined. It led them to be the first ones to hear the news of the risen Lord and to be able to share it with others. And even though the disciples first laughed at them when the women told them about Jesus’ resurrection, the men didn’t ignore their message. They still went to see for themselves.
That was influence at work. It’s called leadership. And the world was forever changed. By ordinary women.
Has the Lord put something on your heart to do? If so, what is your first step—to race to get it done or to stop and sit with Jesus? Today, I would like to encourage you to take a few moments to worship before work and see what a difference it makes.
As I reflected on those words, my thoughts were drawn to a few very specific women in the Bible— those who went to the tomb that first Easter morning. They were leaders, women of influence, and they influenced not only each other, but their actions are still influencing us today.
These women were brave enough to journey with Jesus to the cross, despite the animosity of the crowd. They didn’t run away when they saw Christ being persecuted; in fact, they remained steadfast and focused until the end, even when others of His followers fled.
They were humble and caring and willing to do what needed to be done, when it needed to be done. They didn’t hesitate and weren’t timid. They were ordinary women open to being used by God for his extraordinary purposes.
After Jesus was laid in the tomb, the women went home that night to prepare the burial spices, and then they took a very important step. They stopped. Instead of rushing to get their task done, they rested quietly on the Sabbath and didn’t let their work get in the way of their worship. It gave them each the time to prepare their body, mind and spirit for what God had laid on their hearts to do. And when the sun rose the next morning, so did the women. They
went out early and without delay. They didn’t exhibit any fear or concern of how they were going to move the big boulder in front of the tomb.
Instead, they trusted, and their trust in God made them bold, determined and disciplined. It led them to be the first ones to hear the news of the risen Lord and to be able to share it with others. And even though the disciples first laughed at them when the women told them about Jesus’ resurrection, the men didn’t ignore their message. They still went to see for themselves.
That was influence at work. It’s called leadership. And the world was forever changed. By ordinary women.
Has the Lord put something on your heart to do? If so, what is your first step—to race to get it done or to stop and sit with Jesus? Today, I would like to encourage you to take a few moments to worship before work and see what a difference it makes.
Spending Time in the Wilderness
It has been two months since I have posted anything on our Leading Well page or almost on any page of the website. I realized last week, in my study of John the Baptist, that before John began paving the way for Jesus, he had been in the wilderness. Somehow reading those words resonated with me, and I felt like for the past two months I too have been in the wilderness, unable to write or think creatively.
Normally we look at the wilderness as a less than desired place to be. A place that we would rather run from than run to. However, as I reflected on the verses about John the Baptist, I realized that it was during his time in the wilderness that John received the word from the Lord that propelled him into ministry. It was similar with Joshua. It was when Joshua was in the wilderness that he received his calling and was given his marching orders. And then there was Jesus. Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit after a pinnacle moment in His life. His baptism. It was during His 40 days in the wilderness that Jesus hungered and was sustained by God's truth. He wasn't teaching or preaching, instead he was building up His inner resolve against the enemy by feasting only on what the Lord had to offer.
I have come to the conclusion that being in the wilderness is not necessarily a bad place to be, as we may often think. Instead it can be a very holy time, a time to listen much and speak little. A time to reflect and repent and renew. The past two months have been a very busy time in the life of our Network - both for our churches and for our women, so I had thought that it was just the busyness of the schedule that had made me lay my pen down. Now I realize that I wasn't meant to write during this busy season. I was in the wilderness, and it was a time for just listening. Listening to God's Word, feeding on His truth and discovering some of the next steps in moving forward. What I have learned has been incredible.
There may be times when you too will find yourself in the middle of the wilderness. I would encourage you to not be discouraged by the fact that you are not completing what maybe you think you should be doing with your time. Instead, embrace this time, let go of the unnecessary and just listen. Listen to what the Lord has for you, and then follow His leading. Let the wilderness be a place to recall or discover your purpose. Let it propel you on the next steps of the journey the Lord has planned for you.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'" Jeremiah 29:11.
Normally we look at the wilderness as a less than desired place to be. A place that we would rather run from than run to. However, as I reflected on the verses about John the Baptist, I realized that it was during his time in the wilderness that John received the word from the Lord that propelled him into ministry. It was similar with Joshua. It was when Joshua was in the wilderness that he received his calling and was given his marching orders. And then there was Jesus. Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit after a pinnacle moment in His life. His baptism. It was during His 40 days in the wilderness that Jesus hungered and was sustained by God's truth. He wasn't teaching or preaching, instead he was building up His inner resolve against the enemy by feasting only on what the Lord had to offer.
I have come to the conclusion that being in the wilderness is not necessarily a bad place to be, as we may often think. Instead it can be a very holy time, a time to listen much and speak little. A time to reflect and repent and renew. The past two months have been a very busy time in the life of our Network - both for our churches and for our women, so I had thought that it was just the busyness of the schedule that had made me lay my pen down. Now I realize that I wasn't meant to write during this busy season. I was in the wilderness, and it was a time for just listening. Listening to God's Word, feeding on His truth and discovering some of the next steps in moving forward. What I have learned has been incredible.
There may be times when you too will find yourself in the middle of the wilderness. I would encourage you to not be discouraged by the fact that you are not completing what maybe you think you should be doing with your time. Instead, embrace this time, let go of the unnecessary and just listen. Listen to what the Lord has for you, and then follow His leading. Let the wilderness be a place to recall or discover your purpose. Let it propel you on the next steps of the journey the Lord has planned for you.
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the LORD. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'" Jeremiah 29:11.