It happens in your marriage, in your job, in your family, in your church, and in your relationship with God – settling into the status quo, being content with inertia. Businesses that stagnate soon find themselves surpassed by their competitors. Perhaps they have fallen behind in technology, and now they must either change and catch up, or disband. In today’s world staying the same means falling behind. Leaders who do not grow become stumbling blocks to the growth of those they lead and their organization becomes outdated. Organizations will rarely grow beyond its leader. Although God’s nature remains constant, he is always in motion. He is perpetually at work seeking to redeem a lost world. Never settle for mediocrity in your spiritual life, lest you miss what God is doing around you and he passes you over in his kingdom work. A dynamic, growing relationship with God will not only benefit you personally, but it will also help you lead your people to go deeper with him.
Living Strong in Ordinary Times
Most of our life occurs in ordinary times. Occasionally, spectacular events, grand visions or unusual challenges come along but, for the most part, we are engaged in the mundane tasks of daily managing the tasks at hand. Such days require unbroken commitment and steadfast faith in God. They are times when character matters, because there may be pressure to compromise your integrity in order to attain your goals. Temptations to take short-cuts, to modify reports, or put a positive spin on negative results will come, but know that people are watching you. God wants you to shine as brightly before him in the ordinary days as you do in the extraordinary moments. Learning to stay faithful in the mundane helps prepare us for the next exceptional event God will unveil. Those climactic occasions reveal character that was built in commonplace circumstances. Walking honorably through life glorifies the Lord as much as running well in the race.
Choosing the Right Road
King David had the challenging assignment of leading his nation in perilous times. His writings, recorded in Psalms, mention the outward assault of enemies dogging him at every turn and also candidly reveal the inner personal fears and doubts that plagued him. Few people could understand the unique pressure David experienced as he handled the numerous spiritual, political, military and economic responsibilities his position required of him. Yet the Scriptures afford us a view into David’s mind and we can sense his deep passion as he sought his Lord’s guidance. In the midst of internal turmoil and external threats, David sought God’s wisdom and direction. The key to godly leadership is to know God’s ways, God’s paths, and God’s truth so every decision you make will be divinely inspired. David did not rely on his own intellect or abilities, although he was a renowned warrior and commander. Instead, he went to the source of true wisdom. He was wise enough to understand that only God had the solution to the myriad of troubles he faced. Therefore, he took his responsibilities and his anxieties to the Lord for direction, and he consistently emerged victorious.