Living abundant life in a chaotic world!
Introduction
Hidden treasures
In Mining for Gold Developing, Kingdom Leaders through Coaching, Tom Camacho shares fantastic resources and reminds us of the great potential to serve God in extraordinary ways. Camacho shares coaching in his book and workshops and reveals the incredible truth about moving in the abundance of God’s presence, doing, and thriving instead of struggling in defeat. While I read and agree with the author’s insights on leadership, I immediately think of the practical application and ask myself several questions.
Questions:
Where is Gold in our world leaders today? “He took the Gold of his pure nature and injected it in every human, and they carry it” [1] Sounds too good to be true. Is probably the bad receive the spotlight as opposed to the good leaders? Or it is this individual that sees the leadership through the lenses of a recovering war victim who knew nothing but the turmoil and wounds of a war-ravaged environment! I love Wayne Dyer’s quote here and wish it was true!” If you change how you look at things, the things you look at change.”[2] While I agree with it, unless we are referring to the mysteries of faith, the truth remains true, and facts cannot be hidden; this golden leadership is scarce. I am reminded by the scriptures that we live in a fallen world, and until everything becomes new, we will continue to struggle with the consequences of sin. Therefore Camacho, I, and other coaches are speaking by faith and encouraging us to live and trust in the presence of God to help us inspire others. The world that we live in has seen so much turmoil and chaos, and one would wonder where the Gold in Leaders has gone. Camacho’s writing, like many other coaches and mentors, do, inspire us to see God’s Gold in us, and we can see a glimpse of God here and there. Nevertheless, I sit and hope for the time we will be able to experience it fully in all abundance, probably not on this side of heaven!
Can we change the lens? A flesh lens on leadership through coaching “I began to see firsthand the power of effective coaching. I listened intently, growing increasingly convinced that this coaching was a great fit for me and my passions.”[3]During a morning session, I listened to the presenters describe the power of coaching. They explained how coaching helps leaders find clarity in their lives and take helpful next steps. They taught us the value of the coaching relationship.[4]
In his introduction to his book Mining for Gold, Camacho references the verse in Malachi 3 “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.”[5]
Leading a Mining for God workshop after his book, Camacho shares it about “Leaders coming into a dimension of thriving as a plant thrives, as a garden thrives, fruits are being born, but also you are multiplying your influence.”[6] The author here shares the leadership influence I have heard for years from John Maxwell, my mentor, who is known for his famous saying that “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”[7] We can all agree that there is gold in us and around us, and there is also such a vast challenge to trace this gold and take hold of it.
Practical application: Living abundant life is possible even in a chaotic world: The challenges in leadership and life, in general, will always be here with us. Jesus himself told us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” The power of coaching lies in aligning ourselves with those of like minds holding ourselves and others accountable to live a life of our calling. Becoming a coaching leader requires us to rest more in God’s ability and cooperate more with his Spirit’s work in people. I am convinced this is how Jesus led his disciples and can be a fruitful way to practice leadership in any context and culture.[8]
[1] Tom Camacho “Mining for Gold” Workshop (Life Vineyard Church, 2020), accessed January 18, 2023, mining for gold Tom camacho – Google Search.
[2] Wayn Dyer (brainyquote.com)
[3] Tom Camacho, Mining for Gold: Developing Kingdom Leaders through Coaching, First published. (Nottingham: IVP, 2019).
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Tom Camacho “Mining for Gold” Workshop.
[7] Richard Chancy, “The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast,” Your influence inventory, n.d., accessed January 19, 2023, https://johnmaxwellleadershippodcast.com/influence.
[8] Camacho, Mining for Gold.
About the Author
Jean de Dieu Ndahiriwe
Jean de Dieu Ndahiriwe is a Clinical Correctional Chaplain and former Child Refugee from War-torn Rwanda. A member of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, Jean is passionate about Servant Leadership and looks forward to seeing more leaders that inspire Lasting Peace and Justice for all, especially "the least of these".8 responses to “Living abundant life in a chaotic world!”
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Jean, Thank you so much for your post! I appreciated the questions that Camacho’s book brought up for you and found that, for me too, Mining for Gold created a lot of rich questions. Have you been doing coaching work with the people with whom you currently work? Has Camacho’s book changed the way you will work with people in your ministry moving forward?
Thanks, Jean! I so appreciate your insights.
Jenny – Yes, I do coach and teach in my current work/ministry; Mining for Gold by Camacho is a great encouragement and is another golden resource that I will be glad to use.
Jean,
The quote from Dyer provided another lens for looking at Camacho’s work. And your point is well taken about looking at the truth is the truth. However, I might have gone in a different direction. How do you coach people who just have a negative mindset in that they see facts and truth negatively?
Thanks Audrey – I think it is a journey; Some of life’s challenges can cause us to see things differently. Once we listen, know, and care, we can help one another.
Jean,
Excellent job on your post. You filled it with wonderful, thought-provoking questions that you were able to answer from your own ministry. I enjoyed the read. Praying for you as you minister in Arizona my friend!
Tonette – Thank you for your post. The stories you share from your missionary journey are inspiring. Thank God for preserving you from all dangerous attacks of the enemy.
Great Post, Jean. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I appreciate this reminder. Our lives move quick, and we need the peace of Jesus. How can we mine for Gold in others if our lives are out of order or chaotic? I agree that Jesus led in a way that brings out the best fruit in people. He listened and empowered. He did not just tell his disciples what to do and how to do it. Thank you for your thoughts!
Thanks, Michael – Where would we be without Jesus? Indeed the Prince of Peace is our model of coaching. Leading from a place of Peace even in tube rant times.
Appreciate you, brother.