Limited Scope. Unlimited Resources

I talked to Dakota Pippin about life as an InterVarsity director and about life as a father.
There were two highlights for me among the treasure of knowledge and wisdom he gave me.  He advised me to know the weight of my words as a leader and be prepared to face challenges in leadership style as you encounter people different than you.  He also told me to make sure that communication between me and my wife transitions and matures as life does.
It was great advice and he gave me a new confidence in the leadership shifts in my life as an InterVarsity staff.  Additionally I felt that I could be myself.  While a change in position requires a change in skill set and thinking, it does not mean a change in personality.  In fact, your character and attitude is probably a big factor in your leadership position and transitions.
The greatest gift that Dakota gave me was a wake up call.  Speaking to him made me realize that had misused a network that was always available to me.  There are fathers, mothers, directors, teachers, mentors, learners, brothers, sisters, wives and husbands who have gone before me and some who are in similar stages in life as me.  This InterVarsity network is a gift to every staff worker.  There is a unique creativity I possess that God will use but there is a collective creativity and wisdom from others that would be borderline neglectful if it wasn't used in humility.
As a maturing InterVarsity staff I am encouraged to know that there is a cloud of witnesses who have battled and bled and kept going and who have creativity, knowledge and a way of delivering it that is a gift to my limited knowledge and scope.  I am excited to be called further into this network.  My hope is that I might be able to share in the collective wisdom and follow Jesus in a way that reflects inspirational leaders like Dakota.  Thanks, Dakota.  Your encouragement will go further than you know.