Chris Grainger: 1:01

Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I'm your host, chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, guys, spiritual kickoff time. Let's get into it, okay?

Chris Grainger: 1:13

So the scripture of the week this week is in the book of John, third chapter, 30th verse. He must increase, but I must decrease. Now, before we dive too much further, we need to understand where John is. I don't want to assume anything here on the line within us. New Testament, matthew, mark, luke, john, fourth Gospel by the way, it's a great gospel. If you're just talking with someone, maybe it's a new person that's new to the faith. They just want to know what's a great place to start reading in the Bible. Where can I just start reading? I always point them to John. Now, that doesn't say that you point them anywhere. It's going to be good, but John just seems to be a really great place to get started.

Chris Grainger: 1:55

Love this verse because this whole week we're going to be talking about how do we bring God and the things that he's calling us to into our vocations, what he's called us to professionally, and it's such a big deal to be able to bridge this and make sure that we're not separating who we are on Sunday versus who we are the rest of the week. And I know for me for a lot of my life, that's what I did, and I recognized that was a gap. That was an error. I didn't have to have these two different identities that were competing with each other. No, I needed to just be the man that God's called me to be, no matter where I was. So now we're going to see how we can simplify and apply this one little verse to our life. We do this.

Chris Grainger: 2:39

This is what we call the spiritual kickoff. We do these Monday through Friday, every day, within our community. So I encourage you, if you like the spiritual kickoff episodes, just go check out the lionwithinus. Start your subscription and get plugged in directly with the daily spiritual kickoff. It's going to be so much better than any junk you get from Starbucks. I promise you, okay, not picking on Starbucks, I'm just saying you need a spiritual boost a whole lot more than you need that caffeine in the morning. I'm you okay, I'm not picking on Starbucks, I'm just saying you need a spiritual boost a whole lot more than you need that caffeine in the morning. I'm just being real with you. So we do it Monday through Friday, all right.

Chris Grainger: 3:08

So now let's think about this verse, because we hear John the Baptist right here. He's the one speaking and he is presenting us a profound, salient truth Christ, his greatness, is to be elevated above everything else. And while our personal focus has to go down Now, I don't care if you're a CEO of a company or a janitor, it doesn't matter. This is a reminder that our first responsibility is to follow and honor God's authority in our life. So if we're supposed to embrace this decreasing mindset, that's going to be difficult for a lot of guys. And also we have to do this while maintaining humility and integrity. These are qualities that, deeply, are countercultural to the world. It says you know what I got to do the best for me? It's me, me, me, my, my, my YOLO right, I got to take care of me and mine? No, the world so often tells us it's all about self-promotion and power and status. We got to have it right, we got to have the followers, but as Christian leaders, scripture, to me at least, shows us another path. Now our purpose is to reflect Christ in whatever we do, and John 3.30 is shaping that mindset for us. Whether we're at work or at home or by ourselves at church, it doesn't matter. If we're humble and we're aligned to His purpose, it makes a big difference.

Chris Grainger: 4:46

Now, in our professional roles let's talk about work for a second. So for our professional roles, that humility and service must be coupled together. I get it. It's so easy to feel the pressure that you have to climb the ladder all the time, right, and you're seeking recognition and and you're wanting to, to have a certain level of authority in our life. We like that. It's just. I think that's the way God in so many ways to design us. We crave that, that, that type of opportunity to, to, to lead. But John is reminding us that ultimately, god's mission is a whole lot bigger than ours it is. He must decrease, I must decrease mindset means shifting our focus from our own advancement to the selfless service of others. So from a practical standpoint maybe it means we need to approach leadership with that servant heart rather than control, command type of mindset.

Chris Grainger: 5:52

And for me, when I think through my career, you know the most effective times I had as a leader were when I would go. I try to understand, I would try to, to seek first to understand, you know where the other party was coming from, and then I would try to to to do all I could, once I got a better perspective, to make decisions that were that were serving him in in nature. So it wasn't all about just me flexing because I could flex, it was about me meeting them where they were. Now, sometimes those decisions are still not easy, but you're making them and you're doing those decisions out of love. It also means we see Christ. You know the example he gave us of washing his disciples' feet. I mean, this is the Messiah lowering himself to the lowest of the low, washing the feet.

Chris Grainger: 6:39

So what it could look like for you? Well, for me, that meant lots of times back when we used to have a, a, a shop, a motor repair shop. I'd be the one out there pushing the broom because I want to be part, I want to be with those guys, I want to honor them in the work that they did, and sometimes the best thing I could do is just clean up. For now that posture was was at first. They were like what is this all about Now? That posture was at first. They were like what is this all about? But it shows them that I'm not trying to lord over them with anything. I'm here to serve, I'm here to honor God, and that's such a big deal.

Chris Grainger: 7:15

And then that starts shifting and influencing our decision making. So we start. So if we're faced with a challenge, for instance, instead of asking the question, well, what's going to make me look the best, let's just be real. That's the question we usually ask, right? Or what's going to be the best thing for my career? What if, instead, we ask the question what's going to honor God the best? Or what's going to best serve my team and bring them closer to knowing God's truth? You see how that little it's not much, it's not a huge reframe, but it's enough to really get a different type of mindset moving forward. Because when we start placing God's desires above our own, we're not only leading with integrity, but we're creating an environment, a culture whatever you want to call it of compassion, of respect, and this is transformative. Again, a few little words in the New Testament that can change things up big time for us.

Chris Grainger: 8:18

Now. Think about doing this at home, because if we learn how to be effective leaders and then we just do it at work, my gracious. What an opportunity. We've missed it, because this is at home. We should be thinking about that sacrificial love and put our family's spiritual and emotional needs above those personal preferences or conveniences, because we're called to do what we're called to be shepherds Shepherds of our family, particularly shepherding men towards Christ. And so one thing we can do and I know you guys are all about taking action, but you can love your family through acts of service.

Chris Grainger: 9:01

Even if your family, their love language, isn't acts of service, you can still show them this right. So maybe you prioritize that quality time with them, with your spouse or your children, one-on-one, whatever it may be. Maybe you say you know what we're going to be a praying family. Doggone it no matter what, we're just going to pray. If your family sees you leaning into it, they're going to be observing how you respond, check this out. They're going to observe how we respond when things don't go right. They are. When conflict arises. They're going to say, huh, how does dad respond here? They're going to see how we respond so far as in the pursuit of our faith and growing. Do they ever see us holding this Bible or reading it, or is it just something that's every now and then on a Sunday we pick up, see, and if we choose humility over pride, service over selfishness and love over convenience, that's when they start seeing Christ in us.

Chris Grainger: 9:59

Because this means fellas, if we're going to lead effectively at home, that means that from time to time we're going to have to let the people within our home see and know that we make mistakes and just ask for that forgiveness, because you're not supposed to be called to be perfect, and so many dads out there think they are not supposed to be called to be perfect and so many dads out there think they are. You're not called to be perfect. No, progression not perfection, progression not perfection. So if we put that mindset of Christ first in our homes, it really changes everything and it's going to create that environment that's just going to take off. It's going to be incredible. And then the last thing you have to do you've heard the old talk about you can't lead others. Before you lead others, you have to lead yourself.

Chris Grainger: 10:45

That's good advice, because leading ourselves first and foremost means we have to be humble and in submission to God, because we have to understand that we are constantly dependent on him for wisdom, wisdom, knowledge and understanding only comes from God. So if we start neglecting that stuff in our own relationships, then that ability to grow closer to Christ that suffers. And this verse calls us to have that continual examination of our motives. And that's tough, because if you continually examine your motives you'll find out really quickly what's for God and what's for you and the way we can continually examine our motives, have that one-on-one time of prayer or just get into the word or have accountability partners who are actually going to speak truth to you.

Chris Grainger: 11:42

So if you intentionally put ourselves in these positions where we are submitting ourselves to God's will and those moments, that's how we become more attuned to what his guidance and what he's trying to call us to so many times, like if I don't know, I hear guys say, well, how do we know what God's will is for my life? Well, how often are you going to the Father? Are you putting yourself in these situations so you can even hear it? Right? You see, you have to put this in practice if you expect to actually grow. And as we lead ourselves and try to do this, we recognize there's a transformation that's happening within our heart and then, at that same time, pride and jealousy and anger and wrath and all these other things that are these other attributes that are prohibiting us in growth as leaders. They start falling to the wayside because we are surrendering to him.

Chris Grainger: 12:31

So John 3, 30, small verse again, but what a profound reminder for us that our ultimate goal is to glorify Him. And again, this is completely 180 from what culture the world is going to tell you is important. But I don't know about you. But I'm not chasing worldly accolades, it doesn't do it for me. I'm thinking forward for that day when I'm in heaven I hear the words well done, good and faithful servant, or you're sitting on the beam of seat of judgment and you get to see the opportunities where you are obedient. So the idea of embracing the call to decrease at work, at home or personally, you're creating space for God's greatness to increase. And I don't know about you, but that's important. That's a very important area for our life, because it's in doing that that we fulfill our purpose as leaders to live not by for your own glory because guys, please, please, catch yourself here but to glorify him.

Chris Grainger: 13:45

So the question I have for you this week is do you think you can climb while serving? Can you actually climb a ladder while serving others? And I know lots of guys, I used to think this like there was no way that you could actually progress by just by serving others and I know lots of guys. I used to think this like there was no way that you could actually progress by just by serving others. No, I had to be doing taking care of myself first, and until that was a moment of clarity in scripture, like, no, that is not what Jesus is teaching us whatsoever. So I'd love to get your thoughts on this Again. Head over to thelinewithinus and let me know what you think. Here, and for the listener out there who has never actually surrendered their life to Christ, I just want to encourage you today. Take the opportunity, get along with God, recognize that you are made in His image. You are. He made you exactly the way he wanted to and also recognize that there is this major gap between you and God and there's nothing that you can do to close that gap.

Chris Grainger: 14:43

So many of us want to try to work our way to salvation and just be good or just be better or just, you know, give money, whatever it may be. The problem is we can't. We can't earn it on our own. We don't need a coach to be better. No, we need a savior to come and do for us what we can't do for ourselves, and that Savior is Jesus. Jesus left heaven on that rescue mission for you, for me, for the entire world, and he had you specifically in mind when he left his throne. He says I'm going to go save that guy. I'm leaving right now. It's for him. He lived a perfect life, absolutely perfect, blameless, went to the cross willingly to pay the penalty for your sin. Jesus paid it all. They laid him in a tomb and then he overcame death, and that is who we worship and who we serve Not some dead guy in a cave, but a living Savior who's at the right hand of the Father right now. And that is the major difference between Christianity and everything else that's out there. So I implore you if you've never taken the step of confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior of your life, why not do that today? If you truly feel that God is calling to you and you feel like you know what I need to make this commitment in my life, I just need to turn it over to him.

Chris Grainger: 16:16

Maybe in your career, things have just been tough lately. We're in a tough economy. There's a whole lot more money than there is money quite often, and that can be deflating and you can just be discouraged. And, brother, I just want to tell you one thing your identity is not in your work. You may be great at your work and I hope you are you should do everything for the excellence of the Lord, but that does not define who you are. No matter how good the podcast is or how good the writing gets or how great the community gets, it doesn't define me. No, christ defines me. He gets to say who I am, and that's a major shift in thinking.

Chris Grainger: 17:01

And I just need that one brother out there who's listening right now, when you think that your identity is tied up in your business card, the title that's on that business card, bro, there's so much more for you, but it only exists. You can only tap into that If you surrender it to him, surrender it all to him. So this may be the season of life that you're in right now when things are just tough, and for that I don't want to say I'm sorry, but I also want to say there's greater hope that awaits If you fully Just give it to him. That means inviting him in your life to be your Lord and Savior. If you've never done that, I mean, today is a great day to do it. You can do that while listening to a podcast. No one says you have to be sitting in a church pew to do this. Now you can.

Chris Grainger: 17:43

God's calling you to take care of business with him right now. Take care of business with God, don't put it off. Matter of fact, I'm going to pray with you right now. If you're to that point maybe this is just a tough, tough season and you know now you fully recognize that your way has not been working and you want to go God's way I would just encourage you to pray with me. Let's just go to the Lord in prayer. Let's invite him in to be your Lord and Savior right now.

Chris Grainger: 18:14

So, father, I just pray for that one listener. They're just having a tough time right now, god, and they don't know which way to turn, and my encouragement to them is to turn to you. That's the only path I know to turn to. That gives me any sorts of peace, and I pray that, as they are turning to you, god, that you just pour out your peace that passes all understanding upon them. Put your hand on them, god, just let them feel your presence and I just pray you put people in their paths who are already on their walk. That's going to help them continue to grow, because this is the start line for their journey, not the finish line. This is the start line. So as they get started, lord, I just pray you just encourage them. Thank you so much for everything you do for us, for the free gift of salvation that comes through confessing Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We pray this according to your will, in Christ's name, amen.

Chris Grainger: 19:03

All right, so if you just confess Christ, look, I want to hear from you, okay, so send me an email, chris, at the lion within that us. I want to get you hooked up with some free resources, because you you just entered the battlefield first and foremost. So now I want to get you equipped. I want to get you ready, because things are going to start coming at you. They just are. I know the evil one's going to attack. He's not going to like the fact that you made this decision, because before he didn't have to mess with you too much because you know what you were heading his direction. Now you've completely turned and you're heading with God, and that's against the evil one. So you're going to get some pushback. I want to help you, okay. So, chris, at thelinewithinus, love to hear from you, love to just connect, hear your testimony and also just try to give you some encouragement as you move forward to be the leader that he intends you to be. All right.

Chris Grainger: 19:52

So again, the Lion Within dot US is where you can find all our resources. Guys, go check out the weekly roar. That's a wonderful way just to get some encouragement each and every Monday to get your week started Right. We have our Christian leader assessment, which is amazing. Seven sections definitely gives you some great and some tools and some resources to plug in and to get going. We have our Bible studies that are on the Bible app. So the YouVersion Bible app the number one Bible app in the world. Lots of Bible studies out there. Love for you to go check those out and you can pop over to offerings and check out the three different ways that you can join our community. Love to have you there.

Chris Grainger: 20:28

Maybe you want to come to one of our live events or come to a mission trip. Guys, there's so many ways that you can connect with us. The main thing is don't do it on the sidelines by yourself. It's not what we're supposed to do. No, once you confess Christ. Now we got to start growing. We got to start moving as disciples, growing as leaders, and that's what we built the Lion Within us for is to help you do just that. So, again, the lionwithinus, I'd love to have a conversation with you. All right, scott, have a great day, get after it. Thank you so much for listening. Come back on Wednesday. We'll have a really good conversation with a business leader in manufacturing, as a matter of fact. So he's in manufacturing, he's an executive, and he tries to find ways to bring his faith and to just incorporate all that into everything he does in his career. And it's a, it's a great story, it's an encouraging story, and I think that's going to be something that's going to maybe give you a little bit of insight on things you could do in your own career. So thank you again so much for listening. Have a great, great day. Again, the lion withinus, give us a rating and review. That helps big time. And just remember, wherever you're at, always look for ways to unleash the lion within.

Chris Grainger: 21:40

I don't know about you, but I used to find Mondays really rough. I would find myself trying to reset for work, trying to get my bearing on the family calendar, trying to find time for my own spiritual growth and development, and often I found myself overwhelmed or just flatly ignoring aspects of my life that I know are meaningful to me. What I learned was that if I had immediate access to important and impactful spiritual topics and reflections to start my week well, after the allure of a Sunday sermon has passed, I would set my whole week up to be more meaningful and for the opportunity to make a true impact. If you think that getting such a boost would help your week to get started on the right foot, we would love for you to sign up for the Weekly Roar, which is our newsletter that is produced by the lion within us.

Chris Grainger: 22:34

Each week, we'll deliver a powerful reflection and practical steps to help you apply scripture with clarity and purpose, all being rooted in light and truth. So in just a few minutes, we hope to arm you with insights for living out biblical leadership with confidence and strength, and maybe even have a little extra bounce in your step. If that sounds useful, head over to the lion within. Dot us slash roar to sign up today. That's the lion within. Dot us slash ROA O A R to get your weekly roar today.