By Chance or By Design?

That’s a good question, isn’t it? How many things do we believe happen by chance when it was actually God’s design? This week, I had a “by design” moment.

For 23 years of my life, I heard Andy Horner use the phrase, by chance or by design. He even wrote a book sharing the story of Premier Designs, Inc. and used that as the title. He often shared that nothing is by chance, but instead by God’s design.

As I sat at breakfast with 3 friends, I realized we were not there by chance. We were all there by God’s design. I had no idea how much this one meal, these 2 hours of conversation, would impact me.

I shared with the group I had been dragging my feet, aka being disobedient to God. You see a year ago, I told my Engage for More Partners that I thought I was supposed to be coaching leaders. A few weeks later as my son and I went to the Arbor Day tree giveaway, he asked me why wasn’t I teaching leadership? I immediately knew it was what God was asking me to do. Then a few weeks after that, because God knows He needs to talk to me with a loud speaker, He interrupted my quiet time. I was reading and studying a passage of scripture when He began to – well, the only way I know to describe it is – drop something into my spirit. I can’t say I heard an audible voice, but I immediately began crying and telling Him “this is too much – why are you saying this to me” as I ran to get a new sheet of paper to write it down. Can you guess what it was about? Yes – He was asking me to develop Christ-centered leaders.

You see, I spent 23 years of my life learning what it meant to lead. I had nothing that qualified me to lead well, so I became a student of leadership. I started reading books, listening to talks on YouTube, and growing in my leadership capacity. I was privileged to sit under the teaching of Andy Horner for all those years. But, the most helpful and influential aspect to my leadership growth was the amazing leaders God placed in my life. Women who had been where I was and were willing to hold my hand and lead me forward. I wish there was space to list all of the women who have impacted my life and my leadership. (But, if you are one and you are reading this – thank you from the bottom of my heart.)

So, here I sat Monday morning with my upline – the 3 who had the closest contact with me during those 23 years. The 3 who watched me grow, watched me mess up, supported me in hard situations, prayed with me, called me out when I was wrong, and have stood shoulder to shoulder with me. They encouraged me, poured into me, and helped me learn what to do and what not to do. They are 3 who saw something in me I could not see in myself. Was this breakfast by chance or was it by design?

You see, I am stepping out in obedience and writing a leadership course that will come out later in the year. I shared with the group that I was making an announcement this week about a Leadership Roundtable. Because I am turning 60, I am inviting 60 women to join me for a leadership intensive for 60 days, and their cost is $60. The ones who join will grow as a leader, get their questions answered, and have a place to share their struggles. I will receive feedback on some of the elements of the course and it’s resources, plus gain insight to improve the course before I publish it.

I also shared that God has revealed I have a fear of failure. I have struggled all my life with not being good enough. Instead of doing what God has asked me to do, I was being fearful and delaying it - for good reason of course. But delayed obedience is disobedience. So, I would hand my fear to God and do it afraid. I would launch it this week, well if I got everything ready. I might need one more week, I thought.

Then… Gayle Foster… announced it for me on Facebook! What?! By chance or by design? Of course, her words were affirming and confirmation to my fearful heart. She was gracious and kind and even shared that she was signing up. (Yikes!) Now I had no choice but to do what God was asking me to do. Hmm… I wonder if God chuckled?

Do you have a by chance or by design story? I would love to hear it.

You see, every time I take a step of obedience, God shows up in some amazing way to reveal my next step. He will do that for you, too. Today is a great day to choose obedience to Him and get on the path of becoming who He created you to be.

Here is what I know to be true…

This leadership course that I am writing is not about me. It is about who God is and what He has done for us. It is about what God wants to do in me and through me.
We are all called to lead. It looks different for each of us. Some have a leadership title and others are in the back of the room. Nonetheless, we are each called to lead.
God has given me a passion to help women rise up and lead in their workplace, in their community, and in their home.
Leadership matters and how we lead matters. We are called to lead like Jesus.
There are others who are waiting for us to point them to Jesus in the way we lead.
It’s time for us as believers to rise up and L.E.A.D.

I am in awe of who God is and what He has done. I am so incredibly thankful for every woman who has poured into me and helped me grow as a leader. My hearts desire is that He will use me to pour into others and help them become who He is calling them to be. My prayers today is, “Find me faithful Lord, find me faithful.”

I love you, friend.

Thank you for reading this. It means the world!

Pam

p.s. I am attaching a link for you to checkout the Leadership Roundtable below. We start mid March. If you are not interested, please share with anyone you know who wants to fulfill the call to lead like Jesus.

You are called to L.E.A.D.

Leadership has nothing to do with our position, it has everything to do with the purpose God has for us in our current position. How can we show up to lead like Jesus and leave a lasting impact in the lives of others?
I have a great opportunity for you!

Learn more

Let’s stay connected…

Be sure to subscribe to this blog/newsletter. (see Subscribe Box below).
Follow Pam Pegram on Instagram, and like my FB page. And follow Engage for More’s FB page, FB group, and Instagram.

Resources for you…

Listen to Pam on the Engage for More podcast.

Need a Mentor? Check out The CIRCLE Mentorship Program. Learn how to apply God’s word to your everyday life and experience true transformation.
Want someone to walk alongside you? Pam is a Life & Leadership Coach. Click here and schedule a complimentary call so you can find out more.
Need a Speaker at your event? Pam is a sought after speaker. Reach out to her.
Ready to Rise Up and become the Leader God is calling your to be? Learn more about our Leadership Program.
Subscribe to Pam’s Leadership Newsletter, LEAD, by clicking here.
Visit our websites - pampegram.com and engageformore.com
If you are looking for a resource to help you grow more intimate with Jesus, check out Pam’s book, Saved by Grace, Now What? It is available on the MWM Marketplace and also available on Amazon.