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| Mt. St. Helens looking from the south into the crater/blast zone. |
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| The hiking crew. |
On this particular venture up the mountain, I recognized something profound. Another life lesson hit me square between the eyes that day. It has stayed with me for weeks and I'd like to share that insight with all of you. After all, hopefully by now you know that I'm a sucker for a great analogy--especially those found in the great outdoors.
After a few miles of hiking on a clearly defined and lushly wooded trail up the mountain, one begins to ascend a challenging climb up, over, and through the rocky scramble partially pictured below. This obvious path soon disappears and all that seems left to guide the hiker at this point is an occasional glimpse of the snow-dotted ridge line at the top. At this point, there's no one way or right way up the mountain and the possibilities for self-chosen routes are endless.
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An easy to follow trail through the woods gives way to a long, rocky
scramble that reads like a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book.
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When one of these trail markers becomes visible, a course correction is sometimes in order to become better aligned with the general path. Other times, the way that you've chosen has taken you quite close to the marker enabling a better view of the next one to aim for as you continue to make your way. And no matter how great a path you've chosen, no matter how many people seem to have gone that way before (based on dusty boot prints), visual confirmation often doesn't come until you're practically staring that marker right in the face.
The most fascinating realization was in being able to look back down the mountain and clearly seeing all of those markers. The correct path to take looked so obvious when looking down from such a vantage point. How could I have second guessed myself so often as to whether I was really taking the best route? It seems as if I had been on it all along with those wooden posts acting as guides to reassure that I was indeed making my way up the mountain.
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| The view looking back. |
Though I was given ample room to decide the specifics of which particular rocks I would climb, which ones I would ultimately choose to bypass, and which of the various dusty paths looked the best, those wooden staked markers consistently showed me if I was getting too off course.
These visual markers led me to consider how we are so often led in life by a loving and wise Father in Heaven. He has laid a path out before us, yet there is much room for decision-making and a million and one different ways to approach the same mountain climb called life's journey. No two ascents are exactly the same, but all are set out upon to hopefully reach the same final destination.
God does not always provide a step-by-step set of directions, but rather gives a set of parameters with guiding posts along the way, allowing for us to use our agency to the best of our ability in any given situation. That can sometimes be a scary thing, right? How often do we find ourselves wanting constant hand-holding from heaven, clinging to the desire of wanting to do everything just right, fearing mistakes and loss of control over unforeseeable outcomes!
What I find key here is that God leads rather manages us. To learn the difference, read this quick description that is applicable not only to the workplace, but to all situations in life: http://www.peelerassociates.com/blog/leading-versus-managing-eight-key-differences/.
In the scriptures, the word "lead" or "led" appears in almost 400
references. Try looking up the word "managed." You won't find it even
once. God does not desire to manage us. Rather, as the ultimate
example of a true leader, He provides a vision, leads by example, and becomes our greatest cheerleader as we make our way along with the help of guiding posts.
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| We both rely upon and act as trail markers on the path of life. |
Blame it on the Stephen R. Covey leadership book that I finished over the summer (The 8th Habit, read it!) or perhaps the many situations this past year that have left me to consider that we're on to something important here. When we are led rather than given specifics for every situation, creativity abounds, self-esteem and confidence grows, and the ability to become more like our Father in Heaven begins to emerge.
What I have found is that just as with young children or an apprentice to a new skill, managing, directing, and specific guiding occurs, when necessary, to set a firm foundation of knowledge. As the learner begins to grow and develop, the greatest opportunity for development and understanding comes when we are allowed to choose based on previous learning and practice rather than indefinitely following directions. The result is wisdom.
So, what does this mean for you?
It means that sometimes, when faced with decisions, the answers don't come no matter how hard it seems that you're praying. God has not abandoned you. You are not unlovable. You are not forgotten.
Rather, you are loved enough to be allowed to learn by choosing and loved enough to have guiding markers placed specific to your life that will offer course corrections when needed. Have faith that confirming guidance will come when necessary.
It also means that in the various places in which we are called to lead and influence, choose leading rather than managing. Yes, families, work groups, church places, or any other circle of influence do require patient teaching and specific instruction, but ultimately, the most effective and loving authoritative act is found in leading as our Father does.
So, this week let the micro-managing take a back seat and choose to lead as our Father does and courageously trust in Him when He leads you in such a way along your path up the mountain of life.
Until next time!
~Arianna
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