Are you Interested or Committed?

Yesterday I was listening to ESPN Radio while doing some admin work in the office when Herm Edwards came on to talk about the NFL. He's a former player and coach who is about as fiery and passionate about football and life as anyone. He's also an outspoken Christian who makes no apologies for his faith. Yesterday he was talking to Russillo & Kannell about player being interested or committed. You can check out the clip below.

Let's be honest, leadership isn't easy. If you're going to be in leadership, you have to ask yourself the question: Am I committed to this? Or am I interested?

Interested people want the prestige, the pats on the back, and the "power" that comes from being a leader. They want the position and the perks. Interested people look at what the position can give to them. And more often than not, interested people bail when they realize the cost of leadership.

Committed people aren't concerned with what the position gives them, but rather what they can give to the position. Committed leaders are the ones willing to take on extra work, forge ahead, deal with the critics, and press on towards the goal. Committed leaders recognize that with the honor and prestige of leadership comes a greater responsibility, vulnerability to criticism, and a bullseye on your back for Satan to attack you. But those committed leaders are the ones who also recognize that their leadership doesn't come from their intelligence, work ethic, cleverness, or creativity: their leadership comes from the enabling of the Spirit.

If leadership was easy, everyone would do it. If it depended on talent and skill alone, more people would step into it, people with more charisma, gifting, and ability. But just like how God looks at the heart rather than what the world sees (1 Samuel 16:7), committed leaders are the ones who are known by God, empowered by God, and willing to step out in faith to do what He's called them to do.

​Follow those leaders. They'll take you somewhere. 

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