As Long as You Have People...

This weeks articles are reflections from advice from my Dad who is struggling with heart problems and surgeries in the hospital.  He was very successful and respected as a top leader and manager of men at IBM for 30 years and the lessons he learned and wisdom he gained continue on.  If you are a believer, say The Prayer for Dad (Romans 10:13). 

"I just can't believe some of the things that they do..." I trailed off, not so much complaining but dumping.  Dad and I had talked for a little bit about other things and this conversation just came out.  The subject raised its head, as most do, simply because it could not be ignored.

"Doug.  Remember, you lead people and as long as you have people you are going to have people problems..." his advice continued.

I always thought it was interesting to have my father, not a "church going" type be the one to recognize that even in the church there are simply going to be people problems.  People just have things that they work through.  Someone else once said, "The church attracts people who are in need and that means that you are going to have to carry them through those hurts and pains to maturity."

 Dad was correct.  It has been years since I was a you man in ministry and never a day has gone by without people problems.  Some are easy to deal with like the new believer in Jesus Christ who simply can't figure out how to get along with others or to treat his wife with respect.  Oh, it takes an investment of time but he is growing and really wants to grow.  Other people problems are harder to deal with like the long term "I have been a Christian forever" but all I say is the same thing over and over and over but let me tell you how it is supposed to be done.  There are the invevitable problems of not being able to please everyone.  There are the people problems created because people have not prayed.  There are the people problems amongst the staff.

"As long as you lead people there are going to be people problems..." the advice trails off with the inevitable conclusion of "if you want to change the world then you are going to have to deal with problems."  So if you are in the thick of it today, maybe you just can't take it anymore, remember World Changers are Problem Solvers - it just comes with the terrritory.  In fact, it is the territory so solve that problem, make that investment, issue that challenge, demote that person, retrain that leader, give direction and try to change the world for the better. 

Oh, and if you are a follower (aren't we all), why not become a "not problem" but a "definite solution."  Add instead of taking away.  Bless instead of curse.  Lift up instead of tear down.  Pray instead of think.  The less time that leaders have to spend fixing people problems with followers - the more time we can all actually change the world.