Discouragement & Leadership

I can't take credit for the following meditation--but it is one that means a lot to me. -rjv

Kings 19:9-11 9There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." 11The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."

Our work can be very challenging. We give everything we have to the business, to our families, and to the building of God’s kingdom in our lives and can still come away exhausted, overwhelmed, endangered, fearful and alone. That’s what happened to Elijah. God had just used him to call down fire from heaven in a spectacular display for divine power. But Elijah’s experience of great triumph was soon replaced by death threats, exhaustion and discouragement. It seemed like too much for him, and it was.

So God intervened. God confronted Elijah about what he was doing away from the assignment God had given him. God removed Elijah from activity for a time so that he could rest and spend time with God. During that time, Elijah experienced again a quiet time of God’s provision, God’s incredible power in wind, earthquake and fire, and God’s instruction about Elijah’s role and his leadership. God’s instruction came not in a loud spectacular way, but in a still, gentle voice.

God’s instruction to Elijah contains lessons for us about the leadership roles we find assigned to us. First, its wrong to think we are alone in the task. God provides others who are pointed in God’s direction, and He expects us to engage them. Part of the leaders role is to accept responsibility for developing a strong team and for succession planning. When we’re listening, He gives clear direction about the roles to be filled and who can fill them.

Circumstances can overwhelm, leaving us disoriented to God and feeling alone. We can get to the point where our focus is no longer on God, but on all there is to do. Let God take you aside so that you can be comforted, encouraged, and can listen for His quiet voice. He will provide exactly who and what you need to prepare you for what comes next.