Leaders: What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do

Have you ever been in a situation so beyond your comprehension or capabilities that you felt immobilized? Frozen in fear? Undone by uncertainty? On your knees before God in bewilderment?

Well, you're not alone. In fact, some of Scripture's strongest leaders found themselves in such a position.

King Jehoshaphat became the fourth of King of Judah following Solomon's death. A God-fearing man, King Jehoshaphat sent Levites and teachers of the law throughout his kingdom to teach the people God's Word and rid the land of Asherah poles and Baal worship. He relied on God.

He took the throne at age 35 and reigned for 25 years (2 Chron. 20:31). He was powerful, respected, feared, and a strong leader. You'd think nothing would take him by surprise.

Seventeen years into his reign, we find King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 facing an overwhelming, vast enemy army. As a leader, people expected him to know the answers. A plan of attack. The path to victory.

Yet in 2 Chronicles 20:12, King Jehoshaphat utters this leadership-transforming prayer: "We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You."

Why is that so transforming as a leader?

 
1) Getting people involved makes a difference.  King Jehoshaphat knew the problem far exceeded his capabilities, so he gathered the people to seek God's guidance together.

"Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek Him." (2 Chron. 20:3-4)

As leaders, we may fall into the deadly spiritual trap that we're supposed to have all the answers in every situation. Yet when we face an overwhelming problem or task, gathering people around us to seek God's guidance and formulate a plan based on His direction builds strong teams. Teams focused on God rally together for victory.

2) Wise leaders take the problem to our Problem-Solver.  King Jehoshaphat knew that if he tried to win that battle on his own, his entire kingdom would have been annihilated. So instead of standing in pride, he knelt for guidance.

 "Lord, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hand, and no one can withstand You." (2 Chron. 20:6)

As leaders, if we stand in pride to the exclusion of wisdom and common sense, the casualty list can be extensive and devastating.

3) Kingdom-focused leaders place worship at the forefront. Before organizing a plan of attack, King Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground and appointed worship leaders. He set a God-focused example for the rest of his people.

"After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army ... and the Lord set ambushes against the men ... who were invading Judah, and they were defeated." (2 Chron. 20:21-22)

He placed worship at the vanguard of the attack. So instead of a battle cry, the enemy faced a wall of praise. And what happened? God defeated the enemy without King Jehoshaphat's army ever raising their swords. They stood in awe and watched God defeat their enemy with His almighty strength. (2 Chron. 20:24)

If you're a leader in any capacity whatsoever, 2 Chronicles 20 provides invaluable wisdom.

King Jehoshaphat placed God at the forefront.

Not pride.

Not ego.

Not anything or anyone else.

God and God alone.

May we do likewise.

Let's chat: What leadership principles could you add to the list above? What's worked for you? Have you learned lessons the hard way?
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The Wall in Your World

We all have something in our lives that we've struggled with for a long time.

Maybe even years.

Whether it's a habit, a compulsive behavior, a lofty goal, getting out of debt, repairing a relationship, or extending forgiveness, each of us have a wall in our world.

Maybe, like me, you have more than one.

I call them walls because of Nehemiah's example in the Old Testament.

In January, I listened to a sermon podcast from Andy Stanley called The One Thing. The message focused on Nehemiah's determination to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem that had been laying in rubble for over 100 years.

Nehemiah was a Jewish man who had probably never been to Jerusalem. Yet God placed a burden on his heart to rebuild the wall in order to return protection and direction back to God's people there.

Nehemiah gathered money, supplies, and the people of Jerusalem, set the vision, and began rebuilding the wall. Jerusalem's enemies and surrounding war lords didn't appreciate Nehemiah's interference in their blatant plundering of the city, so they launched attacks against the workers. Started rumors against Nehemiah. Came up with other distractions to stop progress on the wall.

But once Nehemiah climbed up on that wall, he declared one life-transforming statement: "I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down." Neh. 6:3 (ESV).

No matter the attacks or distractions, Nehemiah rebuilt that wall with relentless determination. He didn't come down until the job was finished.

Our walls can be different things. We could stand on the wall of great parenting and not get distracted by overcommitment until that job is finished. Climb up the wall of building a great marriage or a thriving ministry. Stand firm on the wall of leading a healthier lifestyle or getting out of debt.

But something keeps getting in the way. Lack of motivation, laziness, inattentiveness, defeated thinking.

Regardless of the wall in our world, you and I need Nehemiah determination to finish strong.

To close our ears to distractions.

To pray God's armor around us each time the enemy tries to sabotage our efforts.

To keep our eyes on God instead of less important tasks.

And when it's all said and done, God will get the glory, just like He did when Nehemiah finished the wall: "So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God." Neh. 6:15-16 (ESV)

I've listened to Andy's message every day (literally) since I heard it. It reminds me to climb up on my wall each and every day with Nehemiah determination and say, "I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down."

This time next year, I believe my wall will stand strong and tall - though not necessarily completed. It will take a lifetime of Nehemiah determination and the strength of God Almighty to ensure that particular wall doesn't erode or crumble over time.

But I've climbed on my wall.

And I'm not coming down.

Let's talk: Can you identify your wall? Have you climbed it before?
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The Lavish Gift

Have you ever received a gift so lavish that words failed you?

One that touched your soul so profoundly that your heart experienced tangible waves of God's relentless love?

My lavish gift arrived on a chilly March evening as I stood on the cold concrete floor in the middle of my bare living room. Exactly one month before, a judge had signed papers sadly ending my 13-year marriage.

I was in the rebuilding process. Spiritually, physically, emotionally. God had carefully began the process of sheltering and mending my black and blue heart.

Into that emptiness, God sent a lavish gift. A friend's voice on the phone echoed in the hollow space. An anonymous benefactor just paid for my passage on a 9-day cruise with a group from my church to sail up the New England coast into Canada to see the Fall foliage.

All I had to do was say yes.

I stood, opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water, as the tears flowed. That person (or persons) simply wanted to provide an avenue for me to get away with God so that the healing process could begin.

Acadia National Park, Maine (Cruise, Oct. 2010)

That was a year and a half ago. And the benefits of that amazing, soul-refreshing time still ripple in my heart today. I don't know whose hand extended the gift.

But I know Whose hand was behind it.

Their lavish generosity far exceeded monetary value. That time away allowed me to breathe again. Slow life to a stroll. Refocus direction. Listen to God's guidance. Allow Him to resurface my heart.

And I know one thing.

One day I'll pass such a blessing forward. God will let me know when. And whom. And why.

Let's talk: Have you ever received an anonymous gift (large or not) that touched your heart in a very special way? Did you accept it? Did it inspire you to look for ways to pass forward an anonymous blessing to someone else?  
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