The Law of Navigation Part 5

Desire-Proverbs-2:1-4

Good leaders seem to know what steps to take into a bright future. But what enables them to know what to do? How do they differ from followers? Proverbs 2 tells us the key difference may be desire. We all must answer three great questions in life:

  1. What do we want?
  2. Why do we want it?
  3. How badly do we want it?

Consider the phrases Proverbs 2 uses to talk about the passionate search for wisdom:

  • receive my words (v. 1)
  • treasure my commands (v. 1)
  • incline your ear to wisdom (v. 2)
  • apply your heart to understanding (v. 2)
  • cry out for discernment (v. 3)
  • lift up your voice for understanding (v. 3)
  • seek her as silver (v. 4)
  • search for her as for hidden treasure (v. 4)

Good leaders hunt for wisdom as though it were diamonds and rubies. So—for what are you searching?

Effective Leaders-Proverbs 16:1-3

Effective leaders practice the Law of Navigation. Proverbs 16 opens with these words: “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established” (vv. 1-3).

These verses teach us to:

  • check the source of our wisdom
  • check our motives
  • check the outcome we are pursuing

Consider five key words to understanding how God helps leaders to navigate their way through life:

  1. Process: God’s plan usually unfolds overtime. What is He revealing progressively?
  2. Purpose: God wants to accomplish His purposes. Why were you created?
  3. Potential: God will use your gifts and passion. Does this goal fit who you are?
  4. Prioritize: God will ask you to adjust your time and energy. What steps must you take?
  5. Proceed: God will eventually require you to act. When should you start?

How Leaders Lead-Isaiah 3:14, 15

The more power leaders gain, the more they reveal themselves. Power causes the heart to disclose its contents.

The leaders described in Isaiah 3 displayed their corrupt hearts the moment they won a position of authority. Good or bad, leaders determine where and when the organization goes; this is the ripple effect of the Law of Navigation. The Lord responded to these corrupt leaders by sounding judgment against them.

Leaders must consider the impact of their every move. Leaders always lead. There are no time-outs! There never comes a time when it doesn’t matter what you do. Think of your leadership like a diet. Supposed you eat right in the restaurant with friends, but then go home and consume a whole strawberry cheesecake. You won’t lose weight that way! What you eat eventually shows. In the same way, those you lead eventually reflect your leadership. Your navigation as a leader depends on the following:

  1. When you know where you are going, you gain conviction.
  2. When you have been there before, you gain credibility.
  3. When you can take someone with you, you gain connection.

Planning and Praying-Isaiah 37:1-37

King Hezekiah provides an example of a leader who does what is humanly possible, then leans on God for the outcome. God had to do what the king could not do. A place exists for both preparation and prayer. To employ only one is naive and incomplete.

Join me next time for The Law of Navigation Part 6.