During my graduate studies in healthcare administration, I was blessed to work part-time as a project manager of sorts for some medical center executives. Whether I was presenting at one of their meetings or just shadowing, I quickly noticed that the best leaders asked the questions no one else thought of. Now, it was never in a “gotcha” sort of way: they weren’t trying to embarrass anyone. Yet, they saw things others didn’t. The best leaders anticipated reactions, discerned trends, and guided us all to prepare accordingly. They looked ahead.
What I respected so much in hospital board rooms was already on display throughout the Bible. Before Israel set foot in the Promised Land, Moses saw where things were headed. “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you, and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey His voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and He will gather you again…” (Deut. 30:1-3). Centuries later, King Solomon had similar foresight when dedicating the Temple. Knowing the people would sin – “for there is no one who does not” – he prayed that by repenting “with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies” and praying toward the Temple he built, God might hear their pleas, maintain their cause, and forgive (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:46-51). These wise leaders looked ahead and prepared God’s people for it.
When what Moses and Solomon foresaw came to pass and the people were taken captive, it was Nehemiah’s turn to provide godly leadership. Before anything else, he prayed: then when he had an opportunity to make things better, he was ready for it (cf. Neh. 1:1-2:8). Esther, too: she asked God’s people to fast for three days before going to the Persian king to save them (cf. Est. 4:12-17). When she did go to the king, she wisely anticipated his potential reactions and took steps to prepare him to hear what she had to say (cf. Est. 5-7).
As we raise our families, influence our workplaces, or shepherd the church, we need to do the same. Our decisions today have long-lasting effects – perhaps much more than we realize as we make them. Yet, if we will learn from God how to lead, seek His will above all else, and work to give Him glory with each step we take, we can look ahead with hope.
Our world is in desperate need of good leadership. If we will look to God, He will teach us how to lead! Learn with us!