AWAKE AT THE WHEEL 2

I was a teen like many on weekends, who wanted to stay up and sleep in late.  So, when I had to get up significantly earlier than normal when it wasn’t a school day, the struggle was on.  One weekend I had gotten permission from my dad to go with some friends to a lake house a couple of hours away with the stipulation that I would be back in church for Sunday morning worship.  Wanting to eek out every amount of fun possible at our recreation spot, I elected to wake up early and drive in.  Needless to say, that decision could have been disastrous apart from a praying family.  I fell asleep at the wheel…I mean really, with my forehead hitting the steering wheel kind of asleep.  Waking up just in time to avoid a farmer’s field, it was an experience that injured my car as well as my emotions.  I was able to drive home, but just the renewed knowledge of hurting more than myself with such careless actions was enough to fill me with guilt and embarrassment. 

Since then, my occupation has put me on the road early mornings and late nights.  But when my eyes have gotten heavy, it doesn’t take long for me to remember the feelings that came from my careless teenage experience.  So, I’ve learned some very practical steps to employ during those potentially vulnerable times.

The same is true in leadership…  If your hands are “at the wheel” at any time, be it parenting, pastoring, supervising or any level of oversight, staying awake is mandatory!  Similarly to any road trip, leaders can take the steps necessary to be consistently driver-worthy.  Because the many roles and responsibilities of life are at times so weighty and can dull our best intentions, working tools that assist us in regaining our focus is essential.

Three practices that can help keep leaders awake at the wheel:

SOLITUDE

Taking time to regularly break away from the “noise” to pray and meditate gives us the opportunity to sharpen and consequently embrace what's now and what's next.  Find that quiet place today.

STUDY

Personal challenge and improvement must be continual.  Get into Scripture to understand it better.  Read information that stretches your thinking.  Schedule your study!

SELFLESS ACTS

Serving others with no strings attached creates attitudes of humility and respect.  Nothing seems to cause a deeper awareness of our earthly assignment as deeds of kindness.  Choose to deliberately show tangible compassion for others daily.

With the ongoing demands of the day and the unique compounding pressures, staying awake at the wheel requires on-purpose work.  For the sake of those you lead, stay awake at the wheel and get your family and/or organization to their respective destination points.

I’m praying for uncommon freshness and alertness at the wheel for you today!