The video version of this newsletter is available on the Link.
We wrote about seven ramifications of being in touch with your own heart’s desires in A Kingdom Primer. There is one more – charisma. People in touch with their own hearts have a freedom that resonates in the hearts of other people. It is an intangible sense that when they enter a room, the attention of others is drawn to them. When you think of examples of public figures who have charisma, they are all in touch with their own hearts and are able to express their direction with fluency, confidence and passion that leads us out of the status quo. That expression resonates in the dreams and hearts desires in those they touch. We see something in them we would like to emulate: their freedom, their demeanor, their presence, their joy. We just see them as people who are very competent and passionate at doing what they were designed to do; they are authentic at being themselves. They are intuitive and creative; their competence effortlessly flows like a river right out of their heart… and we naturally wish it could be true for us, as well. We are all thirsty for such a lifestyle.
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38
Most people think charisma is something people are born with or that it is somehow premised on external beauty. Oprah Winfrey (entertainment), Donald Trump (business), Ronald Reagan (politics), Michael Jordon (sports)… are all examples of charisma. They are not all beautiful. They are all substantially imperfect. And they are both loved and despised. But they are all an inspiration to others. I want to suggest that you can cultivate charisma. Here’s how!
The foundation – God has given each of us a measure of faith and a sphere of influence. He writes that direction as desires on our hearts and he confirms it with the still small voice of the Holy Spirit as we go through life. Touching that “life purpose” embedded in our own heart’s desire is at the core of charisma. Religion puts us on a diet of conforming to something outside our desires; Jesus puts us on a path of life that works within our desires and makes our dreams come true. Even people who are not spiritually mature or perhaps not even saved can have charisma because they touch their life purpose in a way that aligns their mind, heart, talents and gifts toward God’s purpose. By design or accident they are doing what the Father is doing and it resonates in the hearts of others. Great art and entertainment always communicate a theme that the Spirit of God is communicating to people, even if it’s in a secular format. We see charismatic leaders in all seven mountains operating in this realm… leading by inspiring the hearts of others via their actions, example and words, building the Kingdom and blessing nations. They are simply being themselves.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith (Metron) God has given you. Rom 12:3 NIV
Clarity – The first step is knowing that we have a special place in the Kingdom, a purpose and an assignment that will make a difference. Many believers assume that they should serve another man’s vision all their life. It’s not true! You were designed for something special. The next step is identifying your own heart’s desire: that space where your heart and God’s heart overlap. Put those desires in writing and become intentional about making those dreams come true. We’ve designed an eight step coaching module and some mentors to help you through this process (see steps below).
Connecting – The next phenomenon of charisma is connecting with the hearts of others. Some of this happens naturally; we just express our natural passion and follow our hearts, and others pick up on the theme and relate to us. At other times, it’s much more intentional. I’m not trying to lead or motivate or communicate with another person until I understand the direction of their heart. Charismatic people listen to hearts, and promote the dreams of others. They have the ability to help others identify and realize their own dreams, and rejoice in the victories of others. They can make other people successful, and they realize that promoting others is the essence of leadership!
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Ps 20:4-5 NIV
A consequence if this ability to connect with our own hearts and the hearts of other people is “presence.” When charismatic people come into a room, others notice something. Christians refer to it as anointing or God’s presence. New age adherents might call it the person’s presence. I think it’s both. When our hearts are connected with the father’s heart, our faces shine and our eyes sparkle, just like Moses. Anyone can see it. When we understand that we are empowered to cultivate charisma and exhibit it, others will always see it. What God and I believe about myself is usually the conclusion others draw as well. In the same way, what we believe about other people can set their course too, for better, or for worse. If I’m in a neutral, passive state I can surrender to the expectations of others. When I’m aware of my desires and destiny, I can set a positive agenda for myself and those around me… actually change the atmosphere and bring in the presence of God.
Communicating – Charismatic people communicate with others around the premise of their dream and life purpose. We all makes mistakes and have dysfunctions operating out of our insecurities and boundaries. Criticism is easy and fruitless. When we focus on the shortcomings of others, we usually just reinforce their failings, and the door of communication closes. However, when we start with the dream, you and I are much more prone to surrender our dysfunctions, insecurities and self-sabotage. Charismatic people know this. They are not distracted from the desires in the hearts of others. They connect people with their life purpose as leverage to help them change themselves to achieve their own dream.
Asking you to change in order to achieve my agenda (or my view of God’s agenda) is the “usual” approach – It just doesn’t work. There is a whole false concept of accountability (you conforming to my standard). It’s a broken paradigm that just doesn’t work in the long run. Real accountability is offering helpful ways to reach a dream; helping others hold themselves accountable to reach their own dream. When we shelve those problem issues and connect people with their own hearts desires, we are connecting them with Jesus in a very practical way. It’s a version of the good news – the gospel of the Kingdom that is just now being sounded even though it’s been true from the beginning of time. A dream is the reason a heart needs to change. Hearts are willing to change; they just need a good reason.
These thought leads to a separate topic (the Gospel of the Kingdom and Kings and the Gospel of the Kingdom). Right now there is a huge door open in the business community. We are just saying that God is using business people (insert your own mountain) to build the Kingdom. God is counting their experience, their network, and their ability to create wealth as an asset and inviting them to play a role in a bigger plan that involves the desire of their own heart… and they are saying, “Yes, Lord!” We’ve seen it happen around the world – Amazing!
