3 ways to be a hope dealer
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Napoleon Bonaparte is quoted as saying, "A leader is a dealer in hope." As biblical leaders, we have the greatest hope there is—in Jesus Christ alone.
But what about this extended season we're in? At times, hope seems hard to find. It feels hard to muster up. It feels hard to deal out.
I agree with Napoleon. I believe leaders are dealers of hope. And I believe biblical leaders ought to be the greatest leaders in the world because the hope we deal in is the real deal, the greatest hope of all mankind: Jesus Christ.
Whether you're hopeful or hopeless, here are three ways you can be a hope dealer:
1) Remember where the hope comes from
Hope is not something you have to muster up. It is not something that simply comes from your feelings or thoughts. Hope comes when we remember where it comes from: the fountain of living hope, Jesus Christ!
As we fix our gaze on Him, we're better equipped to be a hope dealer. How is your soul?Judah Smith published a book by that title a few years back, and it's an apt question for all leaders in this time.
How is your soul, pastor? How is your soul, parent? How is your soul, leader? Don't forget that hope comes from the Lord. Put your hope in Him so you can be a hope dealer!
2) Get there first
It is impossible to give something you don't have. If you are struggling with dealing in hope, there is work to be done. Work to get there first, recapture your hope as you remember where it comes from. Get there first so when the moment comes you're ready to be a hope dealer.
3) Keep hope alive
More than ever hope is needed. There are devastating circumstances and situations all around us. Whether it's culturally or individually, life seems to be challenging for many in these times.
Keep hope alive by dealing it liberally to all you come into contact with. Be generous in hope dealing. Don't discriminate where you deal hope: employees, friends, family, strangers, a host/hostess or waiter/waitress at a restaurant, your pastor, hairdresser, the elderly person driving too slowly in front of you in traffic, the distracted mom or dad or teenager driving next to you. Deal hope anywhere and everywhere you can.
May we all lead well by being generous hope dealers.
 | Ben Marshall is a Pastor at Pathway Church in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He works with teenagers and young adults. He is passionate about leadership and raising up the next generation of biblical leaders. He is a blogger, guitar player and sports enthusiast. Ben currently resides in Beaver Falls with his wife Connie and their two daughters, Aliya and Sophie Learn More » |
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