Transformational Leaders are Always Prepared

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.”

Luke 12:35-37

The pursuit of destiny is a long and winding road that can sometimes feel endless and disorienting. Have you experienced seasons where you found it hard to persevere, let alone remember what you were chasing in the first place? The time between the initial glimpse of a promise and God’s fulfillment of that promise can be agonizing. We often wonder, “what is God doing?” and, “why does it take God so long to fulfill what he said?” We may not mind waiting days or weeks, but months or years seem unfathomable. Transformational leadership is rarely about today and almost always about tomorrow. The principles and instructions that we receive are meant to be lived by today in hopes of being prepared for tomorrow. This reality can often be jarring, equal to feeling like a fish out of water—or a disjointed puzzle piece.

As they were journeying to the promised land, the children of Israel were instructed by Joshua to sanctify their hearts in preparation for the move of God in the days to come (Joshua 3:5). To put this scenario in context, we must remember that this was the last leg of a forty-year journey through the wilderness. The point of the whole journey was to make the Israelites prepared for the promised land that they would conquer and inherit. Though Moses and, later, Joshua would be the ones to lead the Israelites to this destined checkpoint, the promise had originally come through Abraham. And it was Jacob’s family that would be radically transformed into the nation that became Israel. Essentially, the promised land moment that came under Joshua was the culmination of continuous seasons of preparation.

It’s one thing to be prepared, it is quite another to remain prepared. No matter how long you have to wait, can you remain prepared for tomorrow’s promise? Can you exhibit the steadfast, consistent faith to exercise today’s instructions to be ready for tomorrow’s reality? In Luke 12, Jesus highlights the importance of staying ready. He paints the picture of servants unaware of the precise timing of their master’s return yet confident in his eventual arrival. They remained in earnest expectation, postured to immediately serve their master. They understood the value of one moment. The moment the master arrived, it would no longer be appropriate to prepare—it would be time to act.

As transformational leaders, we must learn and teach others to take advantage of seasons of preparation to ensure that we are able to act without hesitation when our “moments” arrive. When I am in my seasons of preparation, and I begin to experience fatigue, I often find it helpful to remember the last instructions I received from God. When we consistently observe and obey God’s last instructions to us, we stay readier and better prepared for the promises God has for us. The place God has prepared for you is too important for you to miss. Be prepared!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for your intentions for us. Your plans for us are great, but we need your grace to endure. We ask for your guidance in this season of preparation. Teach us how to treasure and capitalize on the moments that you bring our way. In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen.

Explore more at The High Calling archive, hosted by the Theology of Work Project:  How to Become a Generous Person