Today’s Readings: Psalm 87; Nehemiah 12:27-30, 43-47; Matthew 6:1-6; Hebrews 11:8-12; Psalm 84
Featured Reading: Hebrews 11:8-12
I don’t know if you’ve picked up on it, but there has been a profound shift in the way we conceptualize what strong leadership is. For the past several decades, we were told that good leaders were people who knew exactly where they were going and could clearly articulate their vision to others. This understanding was predicated on the belief that leaders could predict (or at the very least anticipate) the future. Over the last few years, however, a shift has begun to occur. Instead of being asked to predict the future, leaders are increasingly being asked to be flexible so they can adapt their vision to the unpredictable events of the present. I saw the shift portrayed very clearly during President Obama’s first televised news conference a few weeks ago. When asked about his proposed economic stimulus plan and its ability to spark an economic recovery, President Obama said very honestly that some parts will work and others won’t. He added that only time will tell which parts will work and which won’t. For me, that moment of honesty captured the very essence of what a good leader is. Of course, President Obama’s words weren’t the first time where we saw this flexible approach toward leadership used; as a people of faith, we saw this approached embodied in the person of Abraham. As the author of Hebrews pointed out: “When [Abraham] left [his homeland] he had no idea where he was going” (Hebrews 11:9 from The Message). And yet Abraham didn’t let fear or uncertainty about the future keep him locked into the status quo. Instead, Abraham did something that many of us are hesitant to do: he took a leap of faith. It was that leap of faith that propelled him quite literally into the Promised Land. Perhaps there is an area in your life where you know things aren’t currently working, but you are reluctant to take that proverbial leap of faith. A place in your life where you’d rather sit back passively and hope that the situation simply resolves itself. If that’s the case, I would urge you to remember Abraham’s example and consider doing something radical – take a leap of faith. I can’t promise you the leap will be easy or the landing painless. I can promise you, however, that that leap will take you to new places – both figuratively and literally. As you contemplate the possibility of taking that leap, I hope you’ll draw encouragement from your relationship with the God who will be with you every step of the way. Pre-leap and post-leap. Til next time…
Featured Reading: Hebrews 11:8-12
I don’t know if you’ve picked up on it, but there has been a profound shift in the way we conceptualize what strong leadership is. For the past several decades, we were told that good leaders were people who knew exactly where they were going and could clearly articulate their vision to others. This understanding was predicated on the belief that leaders could predict (or at the very least anticipate) the future. Over the last few years, however, a shift has begun to occur. Instead of being asked to predict the future, leaders are increasingly being asked to be flexible so they can adapt their vision to the unpredictable events of the present. I saw the shift portrayed very clearly during President Obama’s first televised news conference a few weeks ago. When asked about his proposed economic stimulus plan and its ability to spark an economic recovery, President Obama said very honestly that some parts will work and others won’t. He added that only time will tell which parts will work and which won’t. For me, that moment of honesty captured the very essence of what a good leader is. Of course, President Obama’s words weren’t the first time where we saw this flexible approach toward leadership used; as a people of faith, we saw this approached embodied in the person of Abraham. As the author of Hebrews pointed out: “When [Abraham] left [his homeland] he had no idea where he was going” (Hebrews 11:9 from The Message). And yet Abraham didn’t let fear or uncertainty about the future keep him locked into the status quo. Instead, Abraham did something that many of us are hesitant to do: he took a leap of faith. It was that leap of faith that propelled him quite literally into the Promised Land. Perhaps there is an area in your life where you know things aren’t currently working, but you are reluctant to take that proverbial leap of faith. A place in your life where you’d rather sit back passively and hope that the situation simply resolves itself. If that’s the case, I would urge you to remember Abraham’s example and consider doing something radical – take a leap of faith. I can’t promise you the leap will be easy or the landing painless. I can promise you, however, that that leap will take you to new places – both figuratively and literally. As you contemplate the possibility of taking that leap, I hope you’ll draw encouragement from your relationship with the God who will be with you every step of the way. Pre-leap and post-leap. Til next time…
1 comment:
Not just one leap.
I think Paul made many: when to leave, when to go, what to say. trying what ever achieve the goal of spreading the Gospel.
I am resistant to willing, knowing, and doing what to do. I guess a leap of faith would involve not being completely willing and not knowing how, just doing - in faith?
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