The end of the year often brings us all to a place of reflection and self-examination.
We tend to use this time to consider all that has happened – the good and the bad!
We take to review both achieved or unachieved goals e.g. the diet, the job, the new habits and routines etc.
We also inevitably reflect on unexpected losses and gains. Let’s face it, 2020 has certainly seen many unexpected and unknown moments in life and leadership with a combination of loss, grief and pain – as well as opportunities for positive change and new possibilities.
When you think about it, examination is a fact of life! We schedule our diary around eyes, dr, dentist, tests, driving, jobs, reviews etc. – so why not do it in our life and leadership journey?
Taking time for reflection is a critical practice for leaders. If we take time to do this well we see many benefits.
- Reflection fosters learning
- Reflection stimulates growth
- Reflection makes way for healing and freedom
- Reflection calls for correction
- Reflection identifies priorities and renews focus and energy
The Bible often encourages us into reflection and self-examination but we don’t always find it easy. We often start well with good intentions but can easily drift.
In Galatians 5:7, Paul offers a great self-reflective question “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” Who or what cut in? What threats are there to our life and leadership at this time?
In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul encourages us to “ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” It’s good to regularly explore what is helping or hindering you from getting closer to God?
So how do we get better at self-examination and evaluating?
Be Intentional – Take time to retreat to advance. Go for a walk. Take a half day out and drive out of the district. Make the time to self-examine your life and leadership.
Be Accountable – Take time to share with mentors, other leaders, or peers who will help you achieve your life and leadership goals. Permission them to regularly check in on you.
Be Prayerful – At the start of this new year I encourage you to pray one of the boldest daring biblical prayer over your life and over your leadership… give God permission to “search”
“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23
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Amy Summerfield
Amy Summerfield is CEO of Kyria, a leadership network to champion empower and release women into their spheres of influence (kyrianetwork.com), and Head of Development at Skylark International, a network of churches, charities and organisations. From 2015-2020 Amy was senior pastor of Connect Church, Paisley, Scotland. Amy is the co-founder of Pulse Children’s and Youth Ministries. She is a regular conference speaker for women's and leadership conferences. Recently married, Amy moved to live in Hitchin with her husband Matt who leads Zeo Church. She enjoys cooking, baking, dog walking and tea drinking! When not travelling for ministry, she loves spending time in Derbyshire where she grew up.
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