Psalm 32:8
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you"
I remember when I was younger, repeatedly being looked at by my parents, friends' parents, teachers, brownie leaders etc and being told "I've got my eye on you"!
As a mischievous, chatty and influential young girl I was repeatedly 'being watched' in more of a critical way rather than an affirming way. Some of that was arguably needed!
When I think of this present moment and all the leadership pressure that is on many of us, I'm encouraged by Psalm 32 and how it reminds us that God has His loving eye - not critical eye - on us as His leaders.
When this season seems to be demanding that we need more wisdom, discernment and stickability than ever before, it's great to know that God's instruction, teaching, counsel and eye is on us!
What do this mean for us? Let me draw out two points...
1) It's comforting to know that we are being watched - God has not abandoned us in this moment! He is mindful of us. Genesis 28:15 reminds us "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." God knows the strains and struggles we have as leaders in this moment and as a Good Shepherd He will watch over us in these days. let's be encouraged today that God "Sees" us.
2) It's challenging to know that we are being watched- As leaders we need to be held accountable. Although God isn't watching us in a controlling or critical way, He does desire for us to hold our lives and leadership roles and responsibilities well.
He is watching our lives and that why we lead with love! This should comfort us, but also challenge us to lead from a place of integrity.
2 Chronicles 16:9 reminds us "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him". Let's commit to lean into the instruction and counsel that God really wants to offer us and let's be mindful that God is watching. Let's give God permission to "see" if there is any offensive way in us and lead us to the everlasting way (Psalm 139:24).
We are going to get things wrong in this season, fact. But let's remember God truly 'sees' us, 'knows' us, 'loves' us and is with us.
We can't do life without Him. We can't do leadership without Him and we can't do lockdown without Him! let's let him lovingly watch us!
For the next 12 months the Kyria spotlight will be on courageous women who, though largely unknown, defied the times they lived in to change their worlds. Inspired by the book, and film, Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly, Kyria wants to focus on women leaders who were massively effective in their context but whose names have been obscured through the mists of time.
We will celebrate their achievements, their grit, their abhorrence of complacency and passivity. We’re rejoicing because they were too stubborn to accept external limitations, and they chose to be deaf to the customs and cultures that told them it couldn’t be done. We are grateful that they stamped on timidity and were wise and brave enough to know that doing what they were made for was more important than their own fears.
This month's inspirational "Hidden Figure" is written by Oge Austin-Chukwu
Oge is a GP, Leadership & Business Coach, Author and Property investor. Founder of Reach Coaching and co-director of Mok Properties Limited, she has a calling to help develop leaders, particularly women, across all spheres of society. She has been involved in Bible teaching and women’s ministry for over a decade. Passionate for justice and equality, she advocates for ethnic minorities and through her role as Chair of Board of Trustees for Freedom 2, for vulnerable girls at risk of exploitation.
Oge has written several books including Pearls of Wisdom and Breakout – Finding Significance and Purpose in your Everyday Living, as well as regular blogs on two platforms.
She is married to Austin, has two young adult children and loves God, interior design, traveling and fashion – not necessarily in that order!
Up until recently Oge was on the Leadership Team of Kyria and has faithfully led, influenced and helped shape Kyria Network in the last 6 years. We are so thankful for Oge for the time and input she gave us as a team.
We are delighted to stay in great friendship with her as she goes onto explore other leadership avenues and look forward to staying in close contact. Thank you Oge for who you are and for this great piece!
Reflective Leadership Questions
(Can be done individually or in groups)
1. Where in your leadership context are you tempted to give up now? What personal circumstances, past or present, threaten to disqualify you from your leadership calling?
2. Looking back at your journey to where you are now, how did you overcome challenges that threatened to derail you from God’s plan and purpose? Who was instrumental in helping you maintain focus and not give up? What aspects of how you managed the situation then can you bring to bear on any current challenges.
3. Who might you help in their own current challenges to ‘keep getting up?
The first Wednesday of every month we will be joining together for a Worship Hour! We feel certain that this is one of the best and most productive things we can do in this season. Time spent with God is always great. Take an hour out to worship, pray and hear God. These Selah moments are vital for our leadership especially because they leave us feeling so refreshed and energised.
Check out what someone shared about these times "
"Just to say, the Kyria worship hours have been so refreshing and so needed. Each time ones come around life has been super ‘busy’ and I’ve been driving, working late, whatever... and it’s been ace to take time (even if I don’t manage the whole hr) to fix my eyes on God and stop everything else. What a blessing!"
Now Kyria is officially a registered charity that means we can claim Gift Aid!
Donating through Gift Aid means charities and networks like Kyria can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra.
If you have given to Kyria in the past 4 years (even a one-off donation), and you pay tax, then please download and fill in this simple form HERE and send back to info@kyrianetwork.com so we can claim the Gift Aid!
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN AND THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THE RETURN OF THIS FORM!
KYRIA is a network for women leaders to challenge, empower and release.'The name KYRIA comes from 2 John 1:1 where John refers to the 'chosen lady' who leads that church. That word is KYRIA. God is still releasing His chosen female leaders into every sphere of society and the KYRIA network has been birthed for such a time as this.Our aim is to provide an empowering environment to release women to lead in their spheres of influence
