Vol 1, No. 3 – 2016
That we might humble ourselves before our God to seek a right way . . . (Ezra 8:21)
Soldiers hear it often: “There are three ways of doing a thing, the right way, the wrong way, and then there is the Army way; the Army way is the choice you must make.” That is great training. If a military man chooses the wrong way, success is rare and the cost of assets is stunning. Choosing the way that seems right to a person often leads to misperception and outcomes rarely come close to what is expected.
Filling roles of expectation requires obedience. Ezra did not think to begin his journey without seeking God’s protection and wisdom. The journey, beginning in the heat of summer, was one from Babylon to Jerusalem. The heat required the path to be changed to a cooler northern route, one of over 800 miles.
Three choices loomed for Ezra:
- The wrong way—one without consulting the wisdom of Almighty God (no reference to the Word of God, no prayer, and no seeking God’s wise counsel)
- The seemingly right way—one that relies on one’s own determination; self-reliance, self-serving, and self-satisfaction (There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death—Proverbs 14:12)
- The right way according to God—God’s way.
Leadership requires obedience to the parameters of the organization; to The Way of the organization that has as its foundation mission, vision, and core values. Without The Way, the leader is left to what seems right or the wrong way.
The early Christians were identified as people of The Way, a description of their character and faith (Acts 9:2; 19:9; 22:4; 24:14). How does your leadership role depict being one of The Way?
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:4-5
