The Leadership Lesson

In process and in progress — *Learning when your tests & trials aren’t just for you…*

The tempering. Pulverization. Incessant pressure. Repetitive knocks. All leading to and culminating in ultimate restoration.

I hadn’t thought about the challenges of my current season as being part of leadership training. Until now.

But it all makes sense.

The greatest among us must serve.

And a true servant leader has a tender heart after experiencing what they walk others through – because they’re already familiar with the path.

They know the sting of rejection. The frustration of being misunderstood. The loneliness of isolation. The two-sided coin of forgiveness and redemption.

And they don’t despise any part of the lesson, because they understand that it’s all part of the process of being made.

May we continue to endure each lesson until we become leaders who accurately reflect the image of our primary example of selfless servant leadership – Jesus Christ.

In progress & in process, Kayren

“24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”

(Luke 22:24-27)

A Terrible Thing!

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It’s not what you think…

terrible (H3372) – yârêʼ, yaw-ray’; a primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten:—affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), × see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).

👉🏽Can God do an awesome thing with you?

Where everyone who sees will acknowledge His mighty power and reverence His unparalleled holiness?

If your answer is yes, we prepare by surrendering in prayer, praise, and worship.

Let’s gooooo…all for HIS glory!

Blessings, Kayren

“And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.”

(Exodus 34:10)

No Exemption from Affliction

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I feel like that episode of Tom & Jerry where Tom was so tired he needed toothpicks to hold his eyelids open. Can you relate?

I worked late on incorporating feedback into an ongoing project while inwardly shaking my head. And yet, I persevere and continue.

Not because I want to.

But it’s for whomever I’m enduring this lesson for.

And because someone is watching my walk.

Someone including my young adult children.

Because life ain’t a bowl of cherries.

But God remains faithful and dependable. I can rest in this. And so can you, my friend.

Be encouraged, Kayren

“It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.”

(Psalm 119:71)

Resilience

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Persistence and endurance…we LOVE these character-building lessons (that often come through tests), don’t we?!

Who voluntarily signs up for resilience training?!? 😵‍💫🫣🤔👀

And yet, we must be patient.

So we endure.

Because we know the end is worth it.

Blessings & stay encouraged, Kayren

“7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

(James 5:7-11)

The Necessary Work of Holding On

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“…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong…” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

Sometimes just holding on and maintaining your current position takes all the strength and energy you have.

And sometimes that’s all that is required.

Stay encouraged, Kayren

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

(Matthew 24:13)

“8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

(II Corinthians 12:8-10)

Limited Exposure Can Be Beneficial

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Everybody shouldn’t have access to you in every season. At some point, it’s gotta be just you and God.

Not isolation, but insulation.

Not retaliation, but restoration.

Not rejecting others, but protecting the gift God has placed in your earthen vessel.

Cuz some folk won’t see your value until – like an episode of Antiques Roadshow – it’s REVEALED TO THEM that they had a priceless item in their midst all along…#UNaware

So you may as well know your worth NOW. And live like it is so – because it already IS.

Blessings, Kayren

“6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

(II Corinthians 4:6-7)

An Accurate Reflection?

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I admire Greg McKeown’s focus on living what he teaches about Essentialism. One of his recent emails with the subject line “The Story Your Calendar is Telling” challenged me in a beautiful way.

“Your calendar is a mirror. It doesn’t reflect your ideals – it reflects your choices.

Most people try to make progress without making space. High performers do the opposite. They build a system that supports their priorities – not one that competes with them.”

That’s a whole mouthful right there. I’m still chewing on it.

Feel free to drop a comment if this resonates with you.

I’d love to hear any adjustments you’ve made (or are currently making) so that the way your time is spent or invested is truly aligned with where your heart is…

Blessings, Kayren

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Merciful Kindness

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What a beautiful gift! It just rolls off the tongue when you say it aloud – and you can’t help but to smile.

There’s even a Psalms 117 song to help you remember and meditate on this scripture passage – I already added it to my playlist!!! Yep – it’s on repeat…

May we lavishly bestow merciful kindness upon others today as we have abundantly received.

Blessings, Kayren

“1 O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord.”

(Psalm 117:1-2)

In the Press

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Develop your productivity under pressure…

Each test develops our testimony. It’s designed to teach us what we’ve learned, and to expose areas we need to work on.

Can you relate?

Admittedly, it doesn’t always feel good.

Yet, we build muscle, skill, acumen, and endurance as we encounter resistance and learn to fight.

I can’t say I voluntarily signed up for my current course, but God has fitted this set of tests just for me. So I’m pressing to obtain the prize.

No need to waste your suffering, pain, and tribulation – let it produce some peaceable fruit of righteousness!

Stay encouraged, Kayren

“13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 3:13-14)

Quieting the NOISE

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There’s a LOT competing for our attention.

I was recently aware of an uncanny (yet welcome) peace and inner tranquility.

I made a decision to maintain a worship mindset and align my environment for that purpose. The calm that permeated the room was such a blessing.

I’m going to practice this more because it was awesome.🌟

I encourage you to try it. Invite God in and watch the transformation that takes place. There’s nothing like it.

Blessings, Kayren

“4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:4-7)

Kayren Cathcart's Blog

Observations on daily life and inspiration for spiritual growth…

prayer

The Leadership Lesson

A Terrible Thing!

No Exemption from Affliction

Resilience

The Necessary Work of Holding On

Limited Exposure Can Be Beneficial

An Accurate Reflection?

Merciful Kindness

In the Press

Quieting the NOISE