Stephen was the leader I want to be. Not because he was an eloquent spokesman or because he had a large following, but because he was willing to be humble and obedient to the greatest leader of all time, Jesus! If we want to lead, we must learn how to obey God, whether or not his plan abides by our agenda.

As I sit at the dawn of a new year, I am aware that I have two choices.  I can see opportunity or obstacle.  I realize that I’m naturally wired to see opportunity.  Yes, I’m a glass is half full kind of gal.  But, I do believe that facing a new year requires self-leadership to focus on the opportunities God is creating in the messy, unresolved baggage I carry from 2016 into 2017.