“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron” (Psalm 77:19-20 NIV).
God is always with you, but He is not always visible. Trouble causes us to question God’s presence. Our hearts murmur, “Are you there?”
Imagine you are sitting at your desk and the phone rings. Your mind is at rest; all is well with your career. The caller speaks, and your world is turned upside down.
Immediately, because you are a leader, you formulate actions to be taken. There will be logical and necessary things to do; first things, in order to be first, must be sorted from the deck of everything to be done.
A form of claustrophobia descends. Practical development of actions must contend with emotional carnage that fosters strong sensations of urgency. We care about our work. Hesitancy is unwelcome. We push forward; leaders lead.
How hard it is to wait upon the Lord.
A distinctively Christian business leader will profit by restraining impulses to “do” something, choosing rather to devote serious inquiry into God’s hand in this matter. God was not surprised by the disturbing phone call, nor is He unaware of how all of “this” will turn out. Actual circumstances will dictate whether and how much urgency is required, but leaders should distinguish between the emotional perception of urgency and the absolute importance of focusing on priority. God’s help is a priority.
God is concerned about you and He is keenly interested in how you come through this experience. The following steps will help you organize your thoughts in asking God for help:
- Acknowledgment—God is in your midst, aware of your situation and your needs. Remember that.
- Ask God to prepare you for what lies ahead. Things may get worse before they get better.
- Be willing to listen; once you ask Him for wisdom, He will act. The rub is to discern what He is doing.
- Be courageous. Some of the greatest heroes of the Bible had to be reminded of their courage.
- Be patient. God is never hurried; He is always on time.
- Apply godly wisdom when choosing courses of action. Godly wisdom is pure, peaceable, willing to yield, impartial, without hypocrisy, full of mercy, and filled with the fruit of the Spirit. It will not be filled with fear, reprisal, anxiety, and rancor.
- Maintain a godly perspective. There is a season for everything and the crisis will pass.
- Rejoice and give thanks that the outcome God wants has been assured. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
Psalm 77:19 reminds us it is not only the leader who suffers when sudden trouble befalls a business—your employees also need guidance. You are as Moses and Aaron to them, even if the way leads through the mighty waters.
Full of courage, faith, and hope we strike out, aware that the future will reveal the reasonableness of our choices, the steadfastness of our faith, the depth of our courage, the honor of our heart, and the succor provided by a good but unseen God.