In our last blog, I mentioned that we are three-part beings; body, soul, and spirit. Everything originates in the spirit before appearing in the physical realm. Therefore, our growth journey should always start in the spirit.
We nourish our spirit through reading the Bible, prayer, and sometimes fasting. As our spirit matures, it guides us to develop our gifts, otherwise known as strengths, and natural abilities.
Growing Our Gifts
I initially started by writing short blogs of about 500 to 800 words. Over time, my posts grew to 1,200 words, and I added audio recordings and video clips to improve the content. We may start off audios by reading from a paper, that is ok. As we grow in our gifts, we will be able to interjected at certain points. Also, over time grow the length of videos and audios. What began as a weekly blog expanded to two posts per week and eventually led to the creation of a second blog site.
This is how we grow our gifts—by stretching, refining, and expanding them. As a storyteller, I’ve also learned that each medium should complement the other: if the writing is straightforward, the video or audio should carry the storytelling, and vice versa.
How can we be certain we are doing what God intends for us?
Following God’s Lead
I attend an online morning prayer meeting. Thanks to a friend for inviting me. Not long after joining, I was asked to turn my camera on. At first, I wondered, ‘Why?’ But after praying about it, God gave me the go-ahead. So I did it.
Soon after, I was asked to lead a prayer. At that moment, no one knew me, but they knew my name. It is good when people know our name, but does God know our name? God has a way of whispering our names to others. When people call on us to serve, even strangers, it is often God’s confirmation.
I prayed, and afterwards, people told me how encouraged they were, not only by the prayer itself but also by the fact that I showed up with my video on, smiling and encouraging the speakers. That small act of obedience bore fruit.
The same has been true with my blogs. As the work expanded, more people have engaged with our group. Some have even started discovering and sharing their gifts. That’s the power of growing in what God has entrusted to us.
Leadership, Marriage, and “Children”
As we nurture our gifts and other life areas, we naturally attract marriage and “children.” Even when we do not think we are ready. Marriage, because God saw that it is not good for man to be alone, (Genesis 2:18 NIV). Man here doesn’t necessarily means a male. It is the one who God placed in the garden to do work – the good work. The children we speak of here may not always be biological children but those who seek us out for leadership and guidance, whether we are aware of it or not.
When I had my first child during my PhD program, it turned out to be one of my most productive years. Despite the challenges of studying enzymology, knowing I had a child on the way motivated me to keep going. I wanted a better life for him. My husband, relatives, and a growth group supported me as I pressed on, and I finished my PhD in four and a half years. Looking back, I realise that without my son, I might not have finished. Without finishing, I would not have written a book or started these blogs.
It was during my second pregnancy with my daughter that I began blogging. Children became a part of my leadership journey.
For years, I believed the lie that children were a burden. We need help to grow them, but they are not a burden. I also told myself that I did not want to get married. What other lies have we told ourselves? But God changed my heart during a sermon in Canada—without even a message about parenting! That’s the power of God’s Word and Spirit; they can renew our minds and transform our perspectives instantly.
How Growing Our Leadership Involves Stewardship of Money
Leadership isn’t just about natural talents, it also involves how we manage resources. In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares the parable of the talents. One servant received five, another two, and another one. The first two invested what they were given and doubled their gains. The last buried his one talent in the ground.
When the master returned, he rewarded the first two servants with more responsibilities and greater blessings. However, the servant who hid his talent was rebuked as wicked and unjustly lazy.
Money, like gifts, comes from God. Whether through a job, business, or opportunity, it is entrusted to us. We honour God through tithing, giving, volunteering, and investing wisely. Mismanaging what God has given us can leave us struggling unnecessarily.
We need to ask ourselves: Are we using our money to build God’s kingdom, or are we robbing it by hoarding for ourselves?
The Bigger Picture of Leadership
Growing in leadership involves developing and growing our gifts, managing our talents, and using our resources responsibly to further God’s kingdom.
It’s not just about buying clothes or dining at fancy restaurants, although those things can also become business strategies when God allows it. At its core, leadership involves following the Spirit’s guidance, growing faithfully, and serving others.
We are never alone in this. God has given us His Holy Spirit as our guide. Even when we stumble, His grace allows us to begin again. He is patient, gracious, and full of mercy, always calling us to align our gifts, talents, and resources with His will. This is how we draw near to Him.
Final Thoughts
Authentic leadership is not about control, pride, or self-promotion. It is about stewardship. As we develop our gifts, talents, and natural abilities, we also grow in our capacity to serve God and others.
Let’s commit to developing what God has entrusted to us. Let’s step into leadership with courage, humility, and obedience because when we do, others are blessed, the kingdom advances, and God is glorified.
With Grace and growth
Sanchia and team.
Audio Version
Please find the audio version here.