What is authentic leadership and why would you care? Because when we are authentic, and show our struggles, not just our accomplishments, God is glorified, not our level of endurance.
WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “How do you decide what to share, not share?” Day #4.
Lisa Copen
Authentic. Vulnerable. Caring. Concerned. But still ill, weak, tired. And yet, leading.
The term “authentic leadership” was coined by Bill George in his 2003 book by the same name. He describes it as a style of leadership that is consistent with the leader’s personality and core values, while also being honest. One who is an example of authentic leadership draws inspiration from her (or his) own experiences.
Authentic leadership is something I have attempted to demonstrate long before I knew the phrase.
Why? Because as I write for Rest Ministries I try to provide hope through the lessons I have learned, the emotions I experience. But–I know–my lessons will provide little comfort. It is through my weakness, my struggles, my confessions, I have discovered this is where God allows me to offer hope.
Why? Why cannot my successes, or yours, offer authentic hope? Because when we tell people we find hope in our own strength they are left hopeless because they feel without strength. Because only when we have cracks, can the Holy Spirit shine through us. When we share that our authentic hope is through Jesus, everyone is eligible for this gift.
Regardless of how blessed we are or how much we have learned through life’s experiences, it is through our on-our-knees-I-can’t-take-it-another-moment moments we our truly authentic. Then, that conversation is is purely between God and me, and I have opened up my private moment to share with you. Even when it is scary.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul shares his attempt to desire to be strong –and he reveals what God showed him.
“But [God] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.'”
Lord, I can serve You better if I am well. God, I can reach more people if I am whole. This pain, this irritation, is preventing me from doing all I can do for You. I am sure Paul must have prayed these words. And I have prayed them. God, you don’t need to heal me. I will be content. I just need to feel a little but better so I can more for You.
For you. . . For you. . . For you.
—No really, it is for me. My ministry can so easily give me personal satisfaction, which can lead to pride. And this will lead to destruction–and then a fall, because scripture explains this process rather explicitly. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
Every day I do what I can. I do my best to fulfill what God requires of me that day. Some days I am blessed with enough energy to do that which I desire. Other days I fall short of my plans. But the struggle is to not do that which I desire and fall short of God’s plans. When I lose sight of God’s plans, and focus on only my plans, nothing I do is fruitful, regardless of how many items are marked “done” on my to-do list.
About 18 months ago I had a bad day at the doctor. And I bit my lip holding back the tears until I sat down in front of the video camera at home. I spoke, I cried. And then I hit the button that says “Publish.” I looked at the screen and wondered what I have done?? My fears began to assail me.
Would you be horrified that I fell apart? Would you be discouraged that I was discouraged, when I was supposed to lead you to hope? Would I become known as that blubbering woman from that illness ministry? Would it destroy those who considered me happy-go-lucky all the time? Would my credibility falter if I appeared hopeless for a few minutes?
Perhaps. but I was determined to take the risk. And you reached out. To date, this is one of our most viewed videos here at Rest Ministries. (See below) It is real. It is raw. It is my example of authentic leadership. I don’t have to hold it all in. I don’t have to hold it all together. I don’t have to hold it all back. And neither do you. God uses what we offer up to Him.
Sometimes that is our strengths, our gifts, our talents.
Other times, it is just. . . our. . . tears.
Being a Christian–especially one who is chronically ill–does not mean we are always cheerful. It doesn’t mean we never worry. It doesn’t mean we hide our imperfections, our exhaustion, our heartaches. It means we know when to share them, to reveal our humanness–and reveal why we all need God.
So as I write, share, express to you the million emotions that float through my head, I hope you feel I am authentic. That I “get it.” That if I had wings I would fly to you have a cup of coffee (or whatever you drink) and chat with you. I hope you know I would listen. I would hold your hand and pray. I would nod as you spoke and smile gentle, handing you a tissue when the tears came.
But in the end, I would not have all the answers.
I would say, “I wish I understood why God has allowed this. I wish I could take away the pain. I wish I could fix this for you. I can’t. But I know God can. And His answers may not come in the way you wanted. He will seem absent when you need Him most. He will send you into spin cycles of suffering, but He will also rebuild your life in ways you can never imagine. And one day, we will hang out in heaven and talk about how He made miracles out of the messes.”
I hope you know I would be authentic–not prepackaged. I hope you know I care. I hope by sharing my weaknesses, my struggles, you will not be saddened, but be blessed with knowing the woman behind the computer screen here at Rest Ministries is one of you. With all my baggage, fears, concerns, lack, I am one of you–clinging to God.
Oh, and in case you were wondering after watching the video . . . after over 10 years, I dropped this doctor. I found a new doctor who I love, I have decreased prednisone with his help to 8 mg now, and have lost 24 pounds. God knew exactly what He was doing. Why do I ever question that? Here is the video — it’s not pretty — but it’s truth.
This really spoke to my heart, Lisa. When I felt so weak two years ago ~ my health collapsing ~ God gave me the strength to keep on writing, keep on sharing, keep on ministering. It wasn’t a time to cover up where I was and how I got there (allowing foolish choices and stress to conquer me) … it was a time to admit my failings and move forward in the will and power of God. And I discovered that it was in those times of honesty that I most ministered to others on the same journey.
So thanks for keeping it real. You are able to lead so many because you are committed to godly living and practical counsel. God is always in the business of “making miracles out of our messes,” as you said, and as we understand from Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Hi Lisa. Thank you so much for your words today! Being vulnerable goes against the grain of our health and beauty obsessed and consumerism driven world. The beautitudes speak so eloquently of how God is especially close to the brokenhearted. It is so hard to see suffering as a gift but I think it makes us more needing of God. More mindful of him. And more humble and authentic. Thank you for offering your pain and your hope to all of us as we all attempt to live out our lives with the suffering they insolve. And if course the joy too. Much love Kelly
Lisa,
You are the sunshine in my life Your words comfort me. Most days I feel that the things you write about are meant just for me. I am writing this to you before I watch your video I have always felt that you are such an authentic Christian woman full of the Spirit of Christ . Bless you for loving all of us who are in in daily pain. Thank you for your devotion to helping me feel better by your precious words that I know are authentic. I really would feel like I lost a best Friend if I was unable to read your words. I pray for your strength as you minister to soooo many. God Bless you ,God Bless you,God Bless you I am really at a Lost for words to adequately express what I am trying to share with you. This my first post to you. I am fighting back tears,no,tears ARE falling as I write this. I am now going to watch this video for the first time. I wanted you to know how I felt before I saw the video because I know I will love and respect you more after I watch.
thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do not feel as lonely and misunderstood when I am reading your beautiful and thought provoking words. Have a beautiful and painless day.
Love what you’ve said. I find living transparently to be the best way to connect to others, and especially to connect in a real way to the Father and share with others about Him and his sustaining love. Thanks so much for this site, for keeping on putting that one foot (one finger) in front of the other. We need it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Lisa!
Thank you for the tears, for the truth, for pulling back the curtain, for not glossing things over and being transparent. I found myself nodding with compassionate understanding and agreeing with so much of what you said about all the things you are wanting to be and the question of which thing to do first and on and on. It was almost as if it was my own voice speaking I have said those thing so many times myself.
I have been connected to Rest Ministries for about a year but only recently have felt the tug to become a leader which is why I read this post at all…and am now so thankful I did. You truly are a gift from God. I look forward to reading and learning more about your ministry and possibly becoming a group leader in my area. Hugs and prayers ~Patty~
What a wonderful devotional, Lisa. It really offered me a clear perspective on the concerns I have. You wrote the words that I feel so often, since God gave me the gift of leadership and chronic pain….how can that be? There is so much I want to do and yet, I see now that what matters is, what God wants me to do each day. And in our weaknesses, He gets through to us with the help of the Holy Spirit. You have helped me so much with the Rest Ministries. It is so comforting to know we are not alone. What a blessing!
Thank you so much. -Jean
Thank you Lisa,
Everyone has completely covered all I could have said and so eloquently! The tears ran down my face when listening and watching your video.
I don’t post too often, but sometimes get brave enough to say a few words and this is one of those times.
I thank God for giving you the inspiration and you for your open heart and soul in Himto listen and act upon his plan for your life and for the fruition of Rest Ministries and your gift of leadership. You are using the talents He has blessed you with and that is such a gift to see that all things are possible with God, in spite of circumstances!
Thank you again for your caring, love, compassion and courage for all of us here. But, most of all, for your love for our precious Savior .
May god bless and keep you , your ministry and all who dwell here.
Your sister in Christ
Lisa, you are so precious. And you are right… Authenticity in leadership is powerful, as your video so dramatically conveyed. Thank you for your honesty. And your determination. And for modeling authentic leadership. You are very dear.
Thank you for this very timely message, Lisa. I will be reading “Authentic Leadership” soon.
Oh Lisa, I find you such an inspiration. Your testimony is so powerful. And it’s because of your willingness to be authentic, open, vulnerable, as well as your trust in our loving God.
God has blessed me with at least one friend in every place we’ve lived, a friend who has offered caring, compassionate love and empathy. These people gave me hope because they were, like you, open about their own struggles.
We need more Christians like you, who are humble enough to be real. You have given me so much encouragement over the last few years. And this devotional and video (which I’m sure I’ve viewed before) are no exception.
May you have a special sense of our Lord’s presence with you this week.
Luv ya sister!
Beth
What a wonderful post and video from Lisa and what thoughtful comments. I feel my words are inadequate–so many of you have said things so eloquently and have expressed so many of my thoughts. Lisa is truly an inspiration as a Christian, wife, mother, daughter, friend and leader–I thank God every day for not just leading me to her ministry, but to her specifically–she is so special. I’m so blessed to be able to assist her a little bit behind the scenes and free up some time for her when I can. I’ve never met Lisa in person, but we’ve been in contact long-distance (lots of emails and also some phone calls) for about 8 yrs. now, I think, and I consider her one of my very best friends. I pray that we’ll be able to meet in person someday, but if not, I know that I’ll recognize my good friend in heaven someday and we can rejoice w/ one another there.