day 1324: Authority?

"The Man answered, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and, all your mind.', And, 'Love your neighbor a yourself.'"

Where does authority come from?  We tend to think that it comes from hierarchy and titles within a company.  While that is part of where authority emanates, it also comes from credibility.  Credibility can be earned in many way, but from my experience the fastest and more sustainable method to build credibility is to be ready to have a point of view that is grounded with both data and facts and supported by emotion and conviction.  The analyst that just reports the numbers doesn't gain authority without having a point of view about the data that she/he believes and will stand behind firmly.  I've seen youth supersede and trump experience many times because the young and bright come at it with all they have and they become almost impossible to ignore or not to call upon in the future.  Don't miss the opportunity to establish your authority by just being ready, grounded and sure.

Would you be surprised that the greatest commandments of all were reported by Jesus, not actually said by Him first?  In Luke we learn of the questioning by Jesus of an expert in religious law.  In one answer, this person summarized the commandments that had been given to the people over all the ages and Jesus affirmed his answer by saying, "Right!"  Now how cool would that have been to have been the one who God Himself commended for summing it all up?  We, even in our flawed human state, can have a huge impact if we only will step forward, respond and be ready to state our beliefs.  God has given us the opportunity to carry His authority into the world for Him.  It's an awesome responsibility and one that we need to step up to with all the seriousness we can muster.

Reference: Luke 10:27 (New Living Translation)

day 1053: "Who's In Charge Here?"

 "Jesus called his twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority..."

The title of this post sounds like something out of cop show doesn't it? It is the classic line when the detective shows up on the scene and there is the skirmish about who has jurisdiction the local guys or the Feds. It's almost so cliche now in TV and films that you see it coming. The same thing happens at work. A crisis occurs or a problem needs to be solved and after lots of people have run to their corners to hide, there is a group of people who step forward and say, "I'm in charge here" (now that sounds like Alexander Haig doesn't it?) or "I can fix this problem". Then there is the work skirmish about who is really in charge and who has authority or not. Many times these decision will fall along the lines of who is most senior, etc. but there are lots of times when peers are chosen to lead, fix, solve, or analyze because they bring their own personal "authority" to bear on a situation. The person's own commitment level, interest, passion and credibility will be the determination of authority.

Sometimes authority is given like when Jesus called His disciples in Matthew 10:1: "Jesus called his twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority..." Even then, Jesus taught them the lessons they needed to know to be able to travel the land and carry that authority with them. The people who gain authority are the ones who earn that authority. Authors David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen write, "Those who are in true positions of leadership demonstrate authority, spiritual power, and credibility by their lives and message. If they don't, they are not true leaders." The alignment of who we say we are and who we really are in how we act and speak, are the rites to earning true authority. Today, you are going to be asked to have an opinion, or to make a decision, or to stand up and act aligned with something you have said or believe. That moment of choice is another step in the authority building for yourself...or not. As you face these moments, know that God has called you, like His disciples for you to have the authority of Him. It is then up to you to decide to live within that calling or not. Let today be a day of consistency, alignment and authority building for you.

Reference: Matthew 10:1 (New Living Translation)

day 143: Who Has The Authority Here?

The title of this post sounds like something out of cop show doesn't it? It is the classic line when the detective shows up on the scene and there is the skirmish about who has jurisdiction the local guys or the Feds. It's almost so cliche now in TV and films that you see it coming. The same thing happens at work. A crisis occurs or a problem needs to be solved and after lots of people have run to their corners to hide, there is a group of people who step forward and say, "I'm in charge here" (now that sounds like Alexander Haig doesn't it?) or "I can fix this problem". Then there is the work skirmish about who is really in charge and who has authority or not. Many times these decision will fall along the lines of who is most senior, etc. but there are lots of times when peers are chosen to lead, fix, solve, or analyze because they bring their own personal "authority" to bear on a situation. The person's own commitment level, interest, passion and credibility will be the determination of authority. Sometimes authority is given like when Jesus called His disciples in Matthew 10:1: "Jesus called his twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority..." Even then, Jesus taught them the lessons they needed to know to be able to travel the land and carry that authority with them. The people who gain authority are the ones who earn that authority. Authors David Johnson and Jeff Van Vonderen write, "Those who are in true positions of leadership demonstrate authority, spiritual power, and credibility by their lives and message. If they don't, they are not true leaders." The alignment of who we say we are and who we really are in how we act and speak, are the rites to earning true authority. Today, you are going to be asked to have an opinion, or to make a decision, or to stand up and act aligned with something you have said or believe. That moment of choice is another step in the authority building for yourself...or not. As you face these moments, know that God has called you, like His disciples for you to have the authority of Him. It is then up to you to decide to live within that calling or not. Let today be a day of consistency, alignment and authority building for you.

Reference: Matthew 10:1 (New Living Testament)