Are you able to balance spontaneity and planning? (137-3)

Wise Christian leaders understand that both spontaneity and planning are part of God’s design for effective leadership. It is when leaders find a balance between the two that they also have the potential to find peace knowing the outcome is controlled by God. Read Proverbs 16:1-3.

God is the great designer of all creation and we see His spontaneity in His creation every day. God is also the ultimate long-range planner. He has established a plan with minute detail for every part of His dominion that reaches from the beginning of time until the end of time as we know it. Since humans are created in God’s image, wise leaders seek to mirror God’s image in all areas of their life including structure and spur-of-the-moment decisions.

God has a natural rhythm to life to help leaders balance spontaneity and structured planning:

• God reveals His plan for a leader’s life over time allowing structure to come gradually.
• God allows leaders to see His purpose unfold gradually so they know why they were created. Knowing why they were created moves leaders from discovery and change to structure.
• Passion may initially be found through spontaneity but eventually leads to structure to allow for maximum accomplishments.
• Based on a leader’s passion God allows the leader to begin to prioritize activity. Forming priorities is another step in forming plans and creating structure.
• Through passion and priorities, God motivates leaders to action. As leaders seek to focus their action, that leads to structure.

When the Spirit of God is in control, the Lord is trusted with the outcome of our labor and that outcome will include the opportunity for peace (see Galatians 5:22).

Do you have a plan that allows you to see where you and your team will be five years from now? Are you able to balance spontaneity and planning? Are you able to commit your work to God and trust Him with the outcome? Take the time to look back over your leadership life and look for the hand of God directing your path. Seek to have God show you the times He has given you wisdom concerning balance and the times you have found peace. Ask God to remind you of them often.