God’s leaders have been making plans without Him since the beginning of recorded history.
- Abraham and Sarah grew impatient and decided Abraham would sleep with Hagar.
- Moses impulsively killed an Egyptian in a misguided effort.
- The ancient Israelites demanded a king like other nations.
- Jonah preferred to go in the opposite direction from God’s assignment.
- Judas Iscariot quit following Jesus’ slow plan to the cross and took matters in his own hands.
As leaders we cast vision. The problem is that we can easily cast visions from our own minds, not the mouth of the Lord (Jer. 23:16). As leaders we “get things done.” The problem is we may be getting them done apart from the unpredictable movements of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:8). As leaders we are told to grow our following. The problem is we are to be followers first (John 21:19).
These are only a few of the challenges around this important topic, a theme to which I dedicate an entire chapter in The Emotionally Healthy Leader.
Take some time with the chart below. It will give an overview of the biblical guidelines that help us avoid the dangerous pitfall of making plans without God.
