“Then I looked at all the works that my hands had done and the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 2:11

Sitting in the “leadership chair” can be rewarding and frustrating at the same time. If you have ever served as a high school athletic director, you know exactly what I mean.  Research indicates that participation in high school athletics continues to grow rapidly. While most would consider this to be a good thing, there are some serious repercussions that come with this growth. Athletic directors are already stretched thin and the increased participation in youth sports requires even more commitment, time and effort. The list of priorities continue to grow. Finding and keeping qualified coaches; budgeting and fundraising; scheduling; transportation; building relationships with coaches/athletes; and dealing with parents are but a few. How does a leader set priorities? How does a leader meet the expectations of others? Does the leader have to do it all? These are questions athletic directors are asking themselves daily.

Ecclesiastes provides those in leadership positions with great insight. The central themes of the book focus on the meaning of life, motives for behavior, and where God fits into our personal mission—all key issues for every leader. Wise leaders quickly learn that their leadership is bigger than themselves. If we are all about advancing our own kingdom or increasing our own profits, we have failed the test. All leadership should bring honor to God, serve and benefit others, and utilize the gifts of each team member to their fullest potential. How do you make major decisions? Are you doing the things that truly matter? Here are some good questions to ask yourself. Is it a priority? Is it in my area of competence? Can someone else do it better? Do I have time? Remember that there are always two answers to these questions—YES or NO. Also, don’t forget the old saying, “If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”

Heavenly Father, help me to understand who you created me to be, where You want me to go, and how You want me to lead others. Keep me in Your perfect will and focused on the things that truly matter. In Jesus’ name, Amen.