Thankful Leaders

​Great leaders define where the organization really is at, build teams, move people, set God goals and strategies, change the world and are thankful. Let's look at the thankfulness of the greatest leader of all time. We see this gratitude after Jesus trained and sent the 72 disciples out to do life changing ministry in Luke 10.

"When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Jesus.... 
At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, 'O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way....'
Then when they were alone, Jesus turned to the disciples and said,'Blessed are the eyes that see what you have seen.'"

Can you see Jesus' gratitude? Can you see how grateful Jesus is for God and for His disciples, for His team? 
I like the expression to be "filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit." Ponder what this means.... What did that look like for Jesus to be filled with Joy of the Holy Spirit?

When you think of your family, your church family, the ministry team that you lead or are a teammate on, is this what you are being filled with, the joy of the Holy Spirit?

Maybe? Maybe not? Most likely not?
 
Ministry is very challenging. Trying to pull a team together, trying to build a healthy team, trying to get everyone united around a vision and set goals is overwhelming enough. Then when you throw in fallen human beings and the invisible but daily attack of the evil one and his teammates, no wonder it might be hard to be filled with joy of the Holy Spirit.

Remember, gratitude is a choice. We choose gratefulness. Circumstances will always change. There will always be seasons of good times and bad times. Most often, all seasons have both good times and bad times at the same time.

Jesus trained the disciples. God trained Paul. Paul trained the Christians in Thessalonica. God is training us with 1 Thess 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
God's will for every life is to always be rejoicing, praying and thanking.

Do you have this memorized?
Is this a theme of your life, your family, your leadership?

Praying to be a more grateful leader,
Pastor Chris