I came across this quote from Henry and Mel Blackaby which stated, “As you seek to walk in the center of God’s will, it’s important to establish the spiritual markers in your life that have led you up to the place you now stand. Looking back on what God has done in your life may bring great clarity toward what he wants to do in your life in the days to come.”
I believe that this is good advice for us as leaders because often we are faced with decisions that will affect many other people. As we struggle to find what the best path is in order to bring the greatest benefits to the people with which we are entrusted, and to serve the greater causes we believe in, we should take a moment to see how we have been guided in the past, the outcomes of the choices we’ve made, and those times when God showed up and clearly showed us the way we should go. This is one reason why I write in a journal, almost every day. I do so in order to record my thoughts, emotions, prayers, and concerns, but also so that in the future, I have a record of the steps I’ve taken in my life. It is not unusual for me to go back a year or more and read about what my journey was like, and in the process, I am often encouraged to continue pressing forward because I know that if things worked out before, they are going to work out again.
As you lead today, even with your eyes clearly on the future as they should be, take a moment to look back to consider where you have come from and the steps that you took that helped you get through even the most challenging of times. The people you lead will be glad you did.
Lead well.