Leadership isn’t paint by numbers, at some point you have to choose your own colors.
During the past month I have applied some weak skills to painting some murals for a wing in our children's building. The great thing was, if I didn't mix the right colors, didn't get the right proportions of a figure, I could paint over it and begin again. That's the way I lead.
Most of us didn't begin our ministry life as leaders. Somewhere, at some point, we were coached and guided by someone God placed in our path who was more skilled with a leadership paint brush. You know the ones, they showed us how to mix the colors, how to choose the right brush, when and how much pressure to apply. But there comes a time to choose your own palette of colors and the brush that best fits your hand. You take a risk, you smear the canvas. Although the end product might not be what you thought or even wanted, it's the way you learn.
Leadership is never a certain set of numbers and pre-drawn lines. In fact, leadership is far more art than science. You might be leading a small group,company or an entire church. What is your vision for that canvass? If you don't have a clue or vision, don’t start painting!You will just make a mess that someone else has to clean up.
That's why I love leadership. It is artwork, and the brushstrokes of your efforts, for good or not so hot, will be out there for all to see. If your first effort doesn’t turn out so well, paint another. Not every painting is a masterpiece. It’s more like a collection of works that over time reveals the artist’s developing skill. The value of some paintings are not realized until years later.
If you're leading, keep mixing the colors, keep the picture clearly in mind, and on occasion, paint outside the lines.
