Leading Through Change Devotional-Part 6

Day 6-Finding New Paths

 

Jeremiah 33:3

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

Matthew 10:16

“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.”

 

            Innovative is a word that probably appears on most resumes as everyone would like to think they have some creativity or problem-solving ability. I certainly have used the word myself many times despite having no real list of inventions or major accomplishments in developing breakthrough solutions. However, I think innovation is less of an action and more of a mindset. Being innovative involves being aware of your circumstances, understanding the vision or objectives at stake, and being adaptable depending on organizational need. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines shrewd as being “marked by clever discerning awareness.” As leaders we must approach every decision or situation with open eyes for opportunities to become more efficient and effective as an organization.

There are two main takeaways from this devotional that I want you to take away today. First, sometimes we will face situations where one outcome seems inevitable and there’s no way around it. This is when we must remember the God we serve. We are invited to call upon Him and can trust that He will answer. What we see next will often not be the solution we could have dreamed up but we can confidently know that it will bring Him glory and it will be for our good. Second, as ministry leaders, we know firsthand the spiritual battle that we are in. We must be vigilant despite the opposition and continually look for ways to break through Satan’s strongholds and shine the light of Christ. This will take wisdom and clever discerning awareness. I recently heard a story of a mentally handicapped woman who wholeheartedly loved the Lord. She couldn’t read or speak very well but desperately wanted to share about Jesus with others. So, she would go into stores with Gospel tracks and ask people to read them to her. Her brilliant innovation allowed for her to subtly share the message of salvation, while doing it with the harmless, or humbleness of a dove.

 

Questions for Consideration:

1. What do you think it means to have a mindset of innovation?
2. What are two practical and creative ways you could encourage or share the love of Jesus with someone else today?