Do you seek direction from the Holy Spirit as you evaluate your plans? (133-5)

Leaders can learn from simple examples God has established in nature (even the insect kingdom) when it comes to long-range planning. Read Proverbs 6:6-8.

Nature abounds with illustrations of animals and insects that store up provisions during times of abundance in preparation for times of scarcity. Ironically, creatures that are instinctively driven consistently do what leaders sometimes fail to do in spite of their rational powers. Like the ant in Proverbs 6, leaders need to prepare for times of adversity during times of abundance by managing opportunities while they last.

Looking into the future, a total unknown, is an integral characteristic of effective leadership. Although a leader does not possess a crystal ball to foretell what the future will bring, they can and must be planning for what it may bring. Effective leadership suggests movement and answers the question “where are we heading?” Even in times, when from the short-term perspective, “things” appear to be out of control; wise leaders are directing activities and developing plans in such a way as to create movement toward order because they have seen what they should look like in the future.

Because the “immediate situation” often demands attention, it is easy for leaders to focus their attention on short-term goals and overlook the bigger long-term picture. If this is true of temporal concerns, this kind of thinking is even more prevalent in view of our few decades of life on this planet in comparison to our eternal destiny. Every leader needs to give that long-range need some serious thought while there is still time.

To what degree have you disciplined yourself to be a long-range planner? Do you seek direction from the Holy Spirit and counsel from godly people as you evaluate your plans?

Proverbs 4:25-27 “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”