We can’t lead out of yesterday’s courage. One day we can feel invincible and the next day we are running for our lives! One day no problem seems insurmountable and the day after we desperately want to quit and find a quiet, sedentary job at a distant, tranquil outpost. But that’s not unusual.
The difference is not necessarily in the magnitude of the problems but in the condition of our heart. A heart on fire for God that trusts Him wholeheartedly can defy an entire nation on a mountaintop and audaciously summon fire to descend from heaven. A heart that has been neglected, or emotions that are frayed, however, can become fearful at the slightest threat or criticism. We can never presume upon yesterday’s walk with God.
Unfortunately we are often most vulnerable after we experience success. It is not just defeats that take their toll. Achieving victory can be physically and emotionally exhausting as well. In our effort to serve God, we can neglect our relationship with Him. Or, because we seem to be making progress, we can neglect to care for ourselves even though our leadership tasks are clearly taking their toll. Because we are experiencing success we can wrongly assume that all is well between us and God. And it might well have been, yesterday. But is it today? Or have we allowed our focus to shift even slightly from Him to our problems? Have our critics’ voices become louder than our Master’s?
Leaders can’t afford to bask in yesterday’s success. Today is a new day with fresh challenges. Our courage must be renewed. We must prepare ourselves daily for our next assignment.