Deadlines. We all face them. Whether it’s the electric bill, the RSVP, or the myriad other responsibilities and obligations of life, there is always a deadline looming.
As leaders, even more expectations are added to our list. Then tack on the occasional unexpected crisis; the stress can feel overwhelming, and yet we are still called to serve and obey.
As the pressure builds and the calendar looms, it’s easy to become hyper-focused and task oriented. Often, we unintentionally develop blinders to keep all of the distractions out, so we can “get the job done.” Sadly, one of the things we can be guilty of keeping out is the very thing we need the most: the Holy Spirit.
How do we, as ministry leaders, stay on course and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us? Here are three things to remember:
1. You serve Him.
You were called to this position by God. He created you for specific tasks and He will equip you. (Ephesians 2:10) Yes, we must respect man-implemented deadlines and expectations, but it is the Lord who is our Master and we always serve Him first. If you have a project or a due date, yet things just aren’t coming together the way you feel the Lord intends, explain that to your leadership. Pray, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and to give you the wisdom you need. (James 1:5)
2. Submit to the Lord.
It’s easy to get in our own head and go through the motions to just finish the work. If you’ve been leading for any length of time, you know that you can pull something together that will meet the requirements and then you can move on to the next thing. But is that what the Lord is leading you to do? Is this the result of His guidance and inspiration, or are you just replicating a model that worked last time? In all things, my sisters, we need to seek Him first. (Matthew 6:33)
3. Make space for the Holy Spirit.
When Esther was faced with a terrifying situation, knowing that she was in a position where, if she did the wrong thing she could lose her life and the lives of all Jews, she could have rushed into a decision. Instead, she asked key people to join her in fasting and prayer for three days. It was only after creating this space for the Spirit of God to work in and around her that she went on to act. (Esther 4:15-17) Esther knew that the crisis she faced, as devastating as it had the potential to be, warranted her withdrawal to fast and focus on calling on the power of God. Only through fasting and prayer can we allow God to silence the noise around us and create space for the Spirit to work.
Dear sisters, as you strive for excellence for Him, endeavor to make space for the Spirit in all you do.
