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Jesus Started with Personal Development
In Luke, we see how Jesus prepared for his relatively brief public ministry over 30 years. Luke 2:52 reports that Jesus developed intellectually (“in wisdom”), physically (“in stature”), spiritually (“in favor with God”) and socially (“in favor with man”). In all things, Jesus submitted to the Father’s sovereign plan to ready him for the purpose for which he had been sent into the world.
He viewed every obstacle he encountered as something allowed by his Father to assist him in the fulfillment of his earthly mission. His attitude of submission and radical obedience to God was key to Jesus’ development as the spiritual leader of humanity.
Can you relate to any aspects of Jesus’ development as a leader to the ways in which you develop your own leadership skills or those of others?
Jesus Commissions the 72 (Luke 10)
When Jesus commissioned the 72 to go out in pairs, he knew they would face hardship. After all, they departed without food, money or extra clothing…but they succeeded. Why?
- They were well trained. They knew where to go and what to say. They even knew in advance how to deal with rejection.
- They had a clear vision—compelled by Jesus’ urgent declaration that “the harvest is plentiful” (v. 2).
- They were praised for their efforts. When they returned, they were filled with joy and shared their stories of success (v. 17). Not only did Jesus listen to their reports, but he praised them.
Jesus was a master in leadership development. He trained leaders, tested them, and then rewarded them?
How do you develop the skills of others? Is there something Jesus did that you could incorporate into your current process?
My “Mount Rushmore” Mentors
On October 4, 1997, I went on a bus trip with men from my church to attend Promise Keepers’ “Stand in the Gap” event in Washington, D.C. with an estimated one million men (pictured above). On the long bus ride from Houston, Texas to Washington, D.C., we had many conversations…but it was one piece of advice–in particular–that would most help my personal and professional growth: “Get a mentor.” After prayerful consideration, I approached someone whom I watched both at NASA and at church—a quiet man with a solid reputation.
Don Blevins
Pictured here in early 2000 with his wife Susan at my daughter’s 1st birthday party –
When I approached Don Blevins about serving as a mentor, he responded, “I don’t think you have the right guy. I’m not even sure what a mentor does.” I explained to Don that’s exactly why I called him. I appreciated his humility and just wanted to spend time with him, building a relationship. Over the next few years, Don and I met regularly for lunch, and I learned a lot about life, leadership, and succeeding in both.
Bill Bates
Pictured here in October 2012 when I received NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal –
A few years later, I was a junior Human Resources Representative, supporting the International Space Station Program. At that time, I was fortunate to meet and work with the Program’s Chief of Staff, Bill Bates. I’ll never forget a couple of key points of advice he gave me early in my career:
- You don’t need to compete with the Administrative Officer for the organization. If you learn how to work with her and partner with her, you’ll both grow and serve the organization best.
- Make sure you can live up to the commitments you make. At the time, I was “over-promising and under-delivering.” I didn’t want to disappoint my important customers. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to deliver on some crazy time frames I was promising…and it could have really hurt me, if Bill didn’t provide the mentoring he did.
Bill has always been supportive of me and my family. To this day, nearly 15 years later, I still seek his counsel and perspective at lunch. While he retired from NASA and a 5-year stint with Boeing, he remains active with his kids and grandkids and plays a key role in service to his church. I appreciate Bill’s values, his commitment to his faith and his family. I have a constant reminder of his mentorship in my office. He hand-wrote in calligraphy and gave me a framed copy of the Halverson Benediction: “You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you. Wherever you are, God has put you there. God has a purpose in your being there. Christ who indwells you has something He wants to do through you, where you are. Believe this and go in His Spirit’s grace and love and power.”
Joe Tanner
Photo from the University of Colorado web site, where he currently serves as an Instructor –
Later in my journey, I asked Joe Tanner (a NASA Astronaut and Chairman of our Deacon Fellowship at Church) to serve as my mentor. I should point out that 2004 was a critical time for us at work. We were hiring many engineers to help return the Space Shuttle to flight, following the Columbia accident. At the time, we had two kids (aged 4 and 2) at home. I was routinely eating dinner with the family, helping put the kids to bed, then returning to work.
I distinctly remember one conversation with Joe, where he said, “I did the same things when I was a young father. Then, I realized I needed to pay attention to my relationship with my wife.” That hit me right between the eyes. I talked with Jennifer, made some adjustments to how I could juggle work and family responsibilities effectively, and strengthened our marriage.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen others at work who probably could have benefitted from similar conversations…but they didn’t have mentors…and ultimately sacrificed marriage and family relationships on the altar of work. NASA—like many places of employment—will take as much as you give it. Joe continues to impact young people today at the University of Colorado…
David Mobley
Photo from the University Baptist Church web site, where he serves as Executive Director –
Finally, over the past couple of years after going through his Experiencing God (by Henry Blackaby) men’s study group, I reached out to David Mobley to serve as a Spiritual Mentor. David has served as Executive Director at our church since 2008. Over the past couple of years, we’ve met regularly for lunch discussions. David always gives rich advice about how to strengthen my marriage relationship and how to be a better father…but most of all, he encouraged me in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For his time and mentoring, I am very grateful!
Do you have mentors? If not, pray about who can come alongside you to support your journey and provide you with wise counsel as you shoot for the stars!