Authentic Leaders Build Boundaries
Define Your Power

Scripture Reading:  1Timothy 4:11-16

Key Verse: 1Ttimothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

It is impossible to be a positive influence on others if we are unable to set boundaries in our own lives.  Boundaries prevent others from pushing us into behaviors that we would not choose for ourselves.  It is an action that might be right for them but not for us.  Leaders must be able to say no.  Leaders must be able to guide their own lives in the direction they believe is right for them.

            The Apostle Paul tells young Timothy: Define your power.  He does not use those words but it boils down to that concept.  Timothy was to stop others from looking down on him because he was young.  What that means is, in Timothy’s mind he would not give up doing what he felt he should say or do, simply because someone thought he was too young to say or do those things.  Timothy could not stop these people from thinking he was too young, but he could direct his own life and define his own power to do as he felt he should.

            Do you allow other people to define you?  Do others set limits on what you do or say by their opinions of you?  With God’s help, each of us needs to define our own power; determining what we will do or say.  This is not being closed to advice, but it is saying that you and God have the final word!

Father, help me hear your voice and become the person you want me to be.  Grant me the courage to draw boundaries.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.