When we start seeing things as God sees them, we can be certain that change will be in order. The more clearly we see the differences the more obvious this will become. But change is not easy. And that’s why I think many of us are tempted to stay where we are and with what we have become comfortable with.
“Lord give me wisdom to navigate from where I am to where I need to be.” This is the second of the requests I have referred to (see original post). Thankfully the Lord knows not only “what” it should look like, but “how” we get there. Even if we have the the right goal, we can make the fatal mistake of reaching for it in our own strength and wisdom.
For us as leaders there is even more at stake. Not only are we responsible for our own lives but for the lives of others. Feeling that weight is a healthy thing and a time when Proverbs 3:5, 6 becomes the air we need to breathe; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
“Seeing things as God sees them” is the first step, but God also calls us into continuing action, to lead the way and to navigate from where we are to where we need to be. Timing, teaching, pace, decisions, choosing what hills to die on, etc…all of these are important.
My dad is a retired Navy captain and he would refer to the command from the bridge, “moving foreword with all deliberate speed.” I love that phrase. It is not “puttering along” and it is not “full throttle.” It is a purposeful and calculated pace—one that communicates resolve and one that does not shrink back in fear.
My prayer is that when God shows us what needs to change in our lives and ministries that we immediately ask Him how these changes should take place. Then follow, teaching as we go. That’s what leaders do.