(I began writing this article in the Summer of 2012.)
I’m at the San Jose Airport, ready to head home to Honolulu, coming off a two-week trip away from my family; partially for ministry, partially for relaxation. As I look back over these past 13 days, I’ve observed some things about the private life of a leader.
1. Your daily time with God is vital
Particularly when I am alone I need to stay in constant contact with the Lord. My daily times with God allows me to sync-up with God on a daily basis. I already do this at home but when I’m away, it’s very easy to sleep in and let this discipline slide. I break it up into two parts. I’ll wake up in the morning and start my prayer time and dialogue with God. It is during these prayer times I will lay out my schedule before the Lord and give him permission to speak to me throughout the day, as well as allow Him to rearrange my schedule in any way that will give Him greater glory. Then I’ll head to a coffee shop and do my journaling. I’m particularly fond of the characters in the Old Testament and how they navigated different opportunities, temptations, and choices.
2. What is done in secret will be revealed.
When I’m watching TV in the hotel room, it’s very easy to start watching programs I shouldn’t be watching. Leaders can justify this quickly, “I’m relaxing,” “It won’t hurt anyone,” “I’m an adult, I can handle it,” “No one will know.” But the Lord knows. The Lord knows everything. He sees our heart. Satan watches as well and will use any foothold to bring a leader down. When a leader lusts or goes astray a bit, the punishment may not be immediately felt. He/she can get a false sense of security that this situation was not seen by the Lord and has been bypassed. But justice delayed does not mean justice denied. The effects of secret sin will be known, particularly if a leader has influence. And God can take a leader out of his/her area of influence so that he/she no longer affects others.
3. Run fast from temptation
When I’m traveling I like to eat the local food. When I’m in Chicago, I want to eat a Chicago Dog or a deep dish pizza. When I’m in Milwaukee, I want to eat German Brat. Or I like to eat at places we don’t have in Hawaii: In N Out, Chipotle, Waffle House. It’s easy during those times to start looking at others, to make eye contact, smile, or flirt. Since no one knows you in the city, you can remain anonymous and unaccountable. I’m reminded of Joseph in Genesis when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife – he ran quickly away from the situation. A leader needs to be self-aware of various temptations on the road and quickly avoid them. No justifying, no quick look and see, no dwelling upon it. I’m reminded of two movie lines, “Run, Forrest, Run!” (Forrest Gump) and “Run, Luke, Run!” (Star Wars)
4. Expect many Integrity Checks
While traveling on the road it’s very easy to cut corners: not tip as much, be a little reckless while driving, not make your bed, waste the free hotel food…the kind of things you wouldn’t do at home but easy to do on the road. These are Integrity Checks from the Lord – can you do the right thing even when no one is looking? Can you still be a good steward of your time, resources, gifts, and skills when you’re on the road?
When I’m traveling, I still make my bed in the morning in the hotel room, just as if I was at home. I know the housekeepers of the hotel will come in and redo the bed, but I can’t be lazy on the road just because someone will pick up after me. To me, I need to remain the same while traveling as if I was at home.
5. You never know who you will meet
God has a way of bringing people along your path who you wouldn’t expect. God is a sovereign God and will allow you to bump into people even when you think you’re alone. For you it’s to keep your integrity in check, for the other it might be to receive a word of encouragement or wisdom.
I was once driving alone from Fresno to San Jose and stopped off at a Costco in Northern California for gas and a slice of pizza. As I was getting through my first bites of lunch, a young man walked up to me, a new student who was accepted to the college and would be flying to Hawaii the next month. As we chatted he needed a word of exhortation on how to keep strong with Christ.
Another time I was flying from Honolulu to Oakland and one of the stewards on the flight was a former high school student from one of my small groups back when I was doing youth ministry. During the flight I encouraged him to go back to church.
These types of meetings are brought about by the Lord. If my integrity were compromised during these alone times, the wisdom I was giving, although true, would actually have no power behind them because there would be no integrity to back them up.
Questions to Think About:
What steps do you take to protect your private life when you’re traveling?
© Gary Lau 2012
All rights reserved. This article may not be distributed, forwarded or duplicated without prior permission from the author.
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