This morning I am starting a legnthy and exhaustive biography on the life of former president Ronald Reagan. The book was released this morning (September 10) to coincide with the movie about his life.
I’m reading this book because I love to learn more about leaders.
But especially because he finished well.
President Regan was not perfect (nobody is) but in his leadership he displayed two things. Courage, and integrity. Courage to lead boldly through the cold war, and integrity to live with principles and humility.
Because of that courageous integrity President Regan left behind a legacy of excellence.
The goal of every individual, but especially leaders, is to finish well. In other words they want to complete their ministry and hand it over to someone else without their testimony being compromised. Of course this doesn’t mean they are perfect. But they reject sinful temptations, remove bad habits, and pursue the Lord.
But where does this courageous integrity come from that finishes well?
It comes from being with God.
A life of public integrity begins with private integrity.
- A heart that rejects sin, and draws close to the Lord
- That seeks the Lord’s Will
- That chooses God’s path, even if it isn’t the easy one
- That seeks the Lord’s strength in prayer
This kind of private and public integrity won’t make you a popular leader…..in fact it’s guaranteed NOT TO!
But it will bring the blessing of God.
May it not be our goal in life to be the richest, smartest, or more successful.
But to be someone with courageous integrity.
Johnhwilburn.com 
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