LEADING THROUGH THE MUD

I want to take a moment to encourage the pioneers and leaders who have been blazing trails and leading through the mud.

A picture the Lord shared with me today while I was in a team meeting really spoke to my heart. I believe it will speak to yours today, too.

Recently my family and I made a move to our family farm. It is far from any neighbors, neighborhoods, or conveniences of city life. To live here is to be intentional.

In fact it is so remote that we have the Oregon trail right next to the property. That path that so many braved generations before us. Risking their lives for a promise of a better future.

Since we have arrived, our internet has been given us issues, not allowing me to connect inside the house. So I found myself in the car, sitting on top of our tallest "hill" where the cell phone signal is the strongest joining our Monday team meeting.

The condition of the road would keep many people from even attempting to travel. The previous days' rain/snow has brought about difficult conditions, to say the least. As I was sitting there in this meeting, I was looking at the road. The once smooth, hard-packed, and easy-to-travel road was now torn apart. Deep ruts were forming, uneven, and more dangerous to venture. Some spots are worse where the moisture collects and brings out hidden soft ground and potential areas to get stuck or worse, pulled into a ditch by the previously mentioned ruts.

Where am I going with this?

I heard the Holy Spirit talk to me about how leaders experience times of leading through the mud. When adversity hits, when circumstances seem to be out of your control and you are just bracing and navigating as best as you can, it can be tough. The once solid path now is full of dangers.

A few days ago, I had to head out in the storm to try and get access to internet for a client meeting. I was blazing the trail through the snow/slush and mud. My vehicle was having a very difficult time trying to gain traction. To stay the course and keep momentum.

Maybe that sounds familiar to your current season. It may be feeling hard to get traction and momentum and to stay the course.

But my experience in having weathered previous storms have taught me how to persist. How to get through the mud so to speak.

As I was looking at the road this morning, it is drying out, becoming safe again to travel even though it is rough at the moment. The danger seems to be gone, but is left is the "foot prints" of those who have endured and gone ahead.

I could see where the tracks where straight and traction was available. I could also see where the conditions made it hard and the tracks indicate traction and control were almost lost.

Most importantly, I could see where they kept going. Pushing on to their destination.

As a leader, people are going to be able to see your tracks more clearly. It is easier, after the facts, to see where you might have struggled and maybe "fishtailed" a bit. Don't let that deter you from pushing forward and enduring.

Your past seasons and past trials have prepared you for "muddy" seasons. Keep going! Keep trail blazing like those who braved the Oregon Trail did. Endure the seasons of sunshine and the seasons of mud.

If you find yourself stuck, I've got some tow straps and know how to get you free and back on the road.

I'm proud of you. Keep going, Pioneer!