I am sitting in the corner of a room full of women at the Hot Springs, Arkansas Convention Center. The event is called EMerge and is sponsored by EMWomen. This organization is founded by Larry and Staci Wallace whose purpose in life is to empower people to fulfill their destiny.

Here’s the thing about EMerge – it is not a church service. No worship music. No preaching. No prayer – not public anyway. Very much prayer has been offered privately – I know this for a fact. As a matter of fact I was praying for Larry and Staci this very morning myself.

What I am hearing as I sit here is story after story of people who overcame obstacles that could have stopped them from living their lives to the fullest. At the same time I see people in the audience that are looking for hope and answers to the very real problems they are facing. And they are finding that hope listening to these speakers tell their stories.

A couple of things I want to say. First of all, from a leadership perspective we need to understand that telling people what to do doesn’t have a very powerful transformative effect on their lives. But your life story can. Seeing true change and empowerment in the life of a leader can cause people to rise to the challenge of taking responsibility for their lives. For those of you that know me, you know that I have been on a personal journey to health through healthy eating and exercise. Fifty five pounds so far and fifty more to go! I feel better than ever, but there’s more to it than the effect it has on me. As a Christian leader I am in the change business. How can I tell people they can kick a drug habit if I can’t kick a fast food habit? The truth is – I can’t. But as I take responsibility for my own life, I can empower others to do the same.

Secondly from a Christian perspective, I want to make a couple of comments. We need to quit perpetuating a mentality that says we do not have power over our own life. I believe God is sovereign, but in His sovereignty He has chosen to give us the tools and the knowledge to make good decisions and fulfill our God-given purpose. In Christ, everything has been accomplished to redeem our lives. He has given us the power to live life to the fullest. The choice is yours and nobody else has the power to take that away from you. No excuses!

Finally, a word on evangelism. In my opinion, the day of “cold-call evangelism” going from door to door talking to total strangers is over. Not to say that it accomplishes nothing. Just to say we are going to have to be more strategic. People are buying books, watching TV shows, following self-help gurus, and hiring life coaches to show them how to get more out of life. Friend, there is no better life than that of a true Christ-follower. So let’s live that life ourselves first, then as we walk in spiritual health, emotional health, physical health, and financial health we will draw people to us. In turn we can lead them to follow the One greatest “life coach” that ever lived – Jesus Christ. The only One that can teach us how to live this life AND the life to come.

So I offer my appreciation, support, and congratulations to Larry and Staci Wallace. Without a doubt, lives will be changed for all eternity as a result of their efforts.

Until next time, keep moving forward!

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