The transcript below was written and delivered by Jody Davis at the Wellspring School of Leadership’s Seminar on Christian Leadership, featuring Governor John G. Rowland. Jody is a student at the Wellspring School of Leadership.
When Michael asked me to share my experience with the School of Leadership tonight, my first thought was that I was very honored. I am excited to be able to share the impact the school has had on me, both personally and professionally.
My second though was “I’m opening for John Rowland!”
It’s all about perspective. And if I had to boil down everything I have learned in the past year to just one statement, it might be just that: It’s all about perspective.
The Wellspring School of Leadership teaches perspective – God’s perspective, Kingdom perspective.
Who am I? Who does the world see me as? Who does God say I am?
How does God view the circumstances of my life versus how do I think God views the circumstances of my life? What can I do when those two things don’t come into alignment? How can I change the way I think and see things so that they line up with what God thinks and sees? It’s all about perspective.
Five years ago, my husband and I started Sarah’s House, a ministry to women who struggle with addiction and abuse. What started as a small dream very quickly exploded into what the Bible would refer to as “immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine.” From one house to four houses, from 14 beds to 38 beds, from me having enough time to do what needed to be done to not having nearly enough time to do it all alone, I have learned about ministry; I have learned about business; I have learned about people; and I have learned much of it on the fly.
Very quickly we realized that this was going to be a lot bigger than we had anticipated. We formed a board of directors and became a 501(c)(3).
My testimony in those early days was this. When I said Yes to the Lord, this is what I brought to the table: three years of case management experience and faith that wavered on a good day. God brought all the rest. I basically hung myself out on a wing and a prayer. At least, that was my perspective.
This past year I have been in something of a turning point. Our classes at the Wellspring School of Leadership are raising questions I hadn’t asked myself before.
What do I really believe? Not just to give lip service to, but what beliefs do my actions reflect?
What is the truth? Who decides what is true and what itsn’t?
How would my life and ministry look different if I really believed all the promises of God were real and really for me?
It is no mistake that I have been in this school this past year. This, our fifth year of ministry, is pivotal for us. We just took another leap of faith and hired a full-time case manager and a full-time office assistant. Our budget now has a God factor in it – a rather large one.
God is opening many doors and inviting me through. Our vision for the next five years includes purchasing property (we currently lease our properties). It includes a home for women and children (we currently serve only women). And from the beginning of the next five years, which is essentially now, I am including God’s promise of “immeasurably more than all I can ask or imagine.”
You see, He took me somewhat off guard with the first go round. At first I thought, One little house, 10-15 women at a time, love them and lead them to Jesus … Boom. It exploded.
This time I am asking for more than I can ask or imagine.
This time I am wearing my fatigues. This time my questions are different, my premise is different. I am no longer on a wing and a prayer. My faith doesn’t waver on a good day.
Instead of asking if there are resources, I am asking where the resources are and trusting that He is going to lead me to them. I know where He wants me to go and I am trusting Him to get me there. Instead of wondering if this is exactly right, I am trusting that God’s grace is sufficient to guide and correct me and that the whole thing isn’t going to fall apart. Because of all the things I have learned both in this school and in the last five years, I know that God loves his people. And I am privileged and honored to be taking care of His people.
When I started the Wellspring School of Leadership, I was a good leader. Today, I am a better leader. One day, I will be a great leader. That’s how God sees me.
I’m not sure where you are tonight – what dreams or visions you hold close to your heart – but if you’re looking for God’s perspective – if you know where you want to go, but are just not sure how to get there – this could be a great place for you to learn. Or if you don’t know, if you are not sure what God’s plan and purpose for your life is, this can be a platform for figuring that out. What I know is that my life and ministry have been changed by the things I have learned at the Wellspring School of Leadership.
[...] remarks, though they were pertinent, encouraging, and inspiring. I d0, however, have here what our student representative, Jody Davis, shared about her life and work. She was terrific. [...]