For The Leader Who Appears Out Of Options

June 2, 2013 0 Comments

Someone reading this post is facing a leadership storm this week.  Meetings are coming up that fill you with a sense of dread.  Hard conversations need to be had.  Projects seem overwhelming.  Time is a luxury you do not have.  Goals and objectives are not going to be met it appears.  Options seem limited and even worse, it appears you do not know who to trust.  We have all been there.
I remember when my dad taught me to drive in storms.  We often practiced in an empty parking lot near our home.  One afternoon a storm blew in.  Heavy rains with lightning made visibility difficult.  It was the perfect time for a driving lesson.
As we were approaching our destination, he said, “See the car in front of us.  It is going slow.  Make sure you keep a safe distance.  That way, if something goes wrong, you have options.”
He went on.  “If you have somewhere you have to be, leave early.  Traffic will be slower and wrecks can happen.  No one forgives you for being late because of the rain.”
Then he concluded, “If you have tires with good tread, they will grip the road making it safer for you.  Also, if you are going slow and hydroplane, you will regain control quicker.”
When we finally arrived at the parking lot, I drove in the rain for the very first time.  My dad directed me to drive through a puddle of water.  He then asked, “How did the car feel?”  I responded, “No different.”  He said, “That’s right.  When you have prepared well, take it slow, have options, and have equip you can trust, though the storm is real, driving through it can sometimes feel no different.”
Someone reading this post needs to hear that today.  You are facing a tough week in leadership.
Prepare well.  Take it slow.  Develop options.  Get equipment or resources you can trust.  By week’s end, you may say, “It was a good week.  It felt no different.”
If you feel you have no options, connections, or resources, I want to leave you with this thought.
Romans 4:17 has sustained me through many difficult and uncertain times.  In this verse, Paul says, “God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.”
God calls things into being that do not exist.  He gives life to things that appear dead.  Therefore, the Christian leader is never without options, resources, connections, or opportunities.  For the Christian leader, the pipeline is always full.
If you are facing a challenging week, if something is keeping you awake at night, then quote that verse and ask God to bring something that appears dead back to life.  Ask Him to make things seen that are currently unseen. Ask Him for options and resources.  And the great news is, He is faithful to do it.