Leading with eternity in mind
Adobe
In his classic book, Mere Christianity, CS Lewis wrote:
"If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this."
This statement dispels the myth that we can be 'too heavenly minded to be any earthly good.' In fact, those most heavenly-minded often have the greatest impact on earth.
But does that mean we should only focus on the next life?
Clearly, there is a tension between the two mindsets. This is the premise of my new eBook, Leading with Eternity in Mind. In it, I aim to present a perspective that enables Christian leaders to navigate the tension between the now and the next. Rather than viewing this as a troublesome predicament, I believe that embracing this tension gives us a healthy perspective for life and leadership.
A heavenly perspective should never make us of no earthly use. Instead, it should be the bedrock that empowers us to bring the influence of heaven to our daily lives. As I wrote in my book Finding Life After Death:
I believe that a biblical view of heaven will enable us to become infinitely more useful on earth. Jesus, at the onset of his public ministry, proclaimed, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near' (Mt. 4:17) and much of his teaching focused on what it means for his followers to be citizens of the kingdom of heaven while still living on earth… Clearly, Jesus wasn't talking about heaven as a separate reality, merely relevant for when we die. Rather, the kingdom of heaven is a realm that impacts the daily lives of God's followers who live under his Lordship as the sovereign king of heaven and earth.
We are familiar with the phrase start with the end in mind. As Christians, we believe that the ultimate end is to spend eternity worshiping Jesus. However, we don't have to wait for the afterlife to experience His presence. We enjoy Him here and now, which is why Paul admonishes us: 'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him' (Col. 3:17).
Whatever your sphere of leadership, leading with eternity in mind will remind you that your primary task is to bring the influence of the kingdom of heaven into the pulpit, office, boardroom, or university campus. Communion with our heavenly God begins right here on earth. As we experience His presence in all we do, we discover the power of the next life—right as we lead in the here and now.
Download your free PDF copy of Leading with Eternity in Mind.
 | Dr. Tim Tucker is the Africa Development Director on the global leadership team of The Message Trust. He has a PhD in Practical Theology from North-West University (South Africa) and has written four books, including Grab a Towel: Christ-centered Servant Leadership for the 21st Century (Message Books 2018), Grief and Grace: Facing the Future I Didn’t Choose (Message Books 2019), and The Pace Setter: Paul, Timothy and the Art of Multiplying Leaders(Message Books 2014). Learn More » |
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