Week 2

I have been so inspired by reading Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders. I’ve found myself reading and rereading sections, underlining, making notes, and even getting up from the book to put certain principles in action immediately. I have been primarily inspired by seeing the image of a devoted leader who will stop at nothing to accomplish his or her calling. The description of self-imposed discipline is encouraging me to take many personal steps, particularly as my life is extremely busy right now. The leader described by this book works very hard and is very productive with all of his time, which is an excellent goal. However, I have been feeling concerned by the message here – while describing my recent life to a friend, she quickly reminded me to take my day of rest, something I’ve been unable to do in weeks. I am reminded of leaders I have known and read about who sacrificed their personal lives, particularly their friends and families, in the pursuit of working nonstop. Finding balance in my life is extremely important, and I am still struggling to find that when between two jobs, school, and other obligations it seems like all but a few hours of each week are spoken for when the week begins. Hopefully the discipline described in this book will help me to find that balance without taking to extreme the principles of hard work described in this book.

Week 1

I am fascinated by the journey that God is bringing me on as I enter the MAGL program. When I graduated with a business degree in 2007, I didn’t have any clue what direction I wanted to go with my life. I tried to enter the nonprofit world doing world relief and development, but didn’t get any calls back, so after falling into a youth ministry job at my home church I started a Masters in International Development online at Tulane University. After two semesters I realized that another secular degree was not what God was calling me to, and that such broad-based work was very important but not for me. So I dropped out of that program and took some time off to focus on my new job in inner-city church planting and community development. I then began to enter a Masters of Social and Civic Entrepreneurship program at Bakke Graduate University, but before beginning classes the Lord convicted me that He hadn’t intended me to get another business degree. I immediately applied to Fuller and was accepted! My story since graduation has been 100% by the hand of God. I always tell people that I graduated with no job during a recession and God gave me two jobs that I didn’t apply for and helped me to start a 501(c)(3). Not only that, but despite having yet to even approach the concept of making $20,000 a year, the Lord has sustained me, even with schooling! I am truly blessed.