October 28. Cubs, Listen Up!

As leaders of families, companies, and organizations we have a duty to continue to grow ourselves. We lead our teams towards a value proposition of some kind. We connect the team to that proposition and then we grow them in knowledge and processes.

This pattern helps the team to know what to do and how to do it. But how are you, as a leader, continuing your growth? The team’s value might be restricted by how much you are willing to grow. We can look to the world of nature and animals for a metaphor.

A mother bear trains her cubs to hunt, graze, find shelter, and avoid danger. But that is about it. So, the cubs become good at hunting, grazing, finding shelter and avoiding danger. That is it. That may be enough for the bears of the world. The limit here is the trainer, not necessarily the trainee.

How are you doing as the lead bear? Are you in discussion with other leaders to grow in knowledge or have you placed a limit on yourself and went into hibernation? If we are going to grow as the leader, and everyone is a leader, then we need others to collaborate with us to grow.

Will you do a study of some kind to grow? If so, you need someone to provide the materials to study. Will you choose to get a mentor or join a study group? Perhaps you have some people to ask to enter a new and special relationship with.

Thanksgiving is in November and might just be the best time to reflect about our growth. Will you choose to hibernate or continue to grow?

As followers of Jesus, we are cleansed from our old selves and called to a new way of life. But that call is not about simply believing because if you believe, life changes. This life following Jesus is to be shared. Even the mother bear teaches her cubs some basics.

We read, “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word." Hebrews 5:12 NLT. Is it true that if a mother bear does not teach the cubs their lives are in jeopardy?

I think that answer is yes. We may not be too different as eternal life is in jeopardy for those we are in relationship with. Where are we planning to grow and to help others learn as well? As a bear teaches hunting, grazing, finding shelter and avoiding danger, we can be practicing love, teaching the Bible, doing worship, and praying.

If we need to grow and help others grow, then we need to collaborate. How many direct ways can you see that you are collaborating? Do you collaborate to worship, study the Bible, or discuss the challenges of the world from a faith point of view?

If we are being intentional about our growth, we can witness the specific ways to collaborate. If we are not growing well, we might see that we do not have the collaborators we need in our lives. Maybe you are the answer to others who need to collaborate as well.

What is the first thing you can do about it in the next seven days?

Let us pray, Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with so much. You gave us the law and then taught us through Christ that our love is what you want from us. Train us in your ways to hear your still small voice. Help us to teach one another to draw close to you.

Open our eyes to see how others can help us to grow. Open our hearts to know when we can be in someone’s sphere of influence to enhance their growth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen,