On Tuesday morning I faced a very close call with what could have either resulted in serious physical injuries to my person or even death.. Praise God neither occured.
While on the main road to Windhoek at about 9:00am, an oncoming driver who was not really paying attention, attempted to pass two or three vehicles. This was on bend in road and going over and incline.. I guess it is true what they say about time seemingly slowing down in these situations. That is exactly what I experienced, time seemed to slow down and it seemed as though I had plenty of time to think and take evasive action.. I praise God that my car sustained minimal damage and neither I nor the driver of the other vehicle were injured..
In a moment I was reminded of my two good friends - Lester and Freddie who in 2001 (I think) were killed in a head on collision just outside of Bulawayo. So was I more spiritual than my friends ? They trusted God and in fact Lester and I had spoken about the potential of a road accident due to the amount of travelling he was required to do. We agreed that prayer should be an important part of our preparation before travelling ! I have to admit that I do not remember actually praying on Tuesday morning.. So how is then that I was not punished and was spared ?
Fundamentally- it was not time for me to die ! So what about injury ? God graciously kept me from injury. That is His GRACE and has nothing to do with me in that somehow God owed it to me to keep me from injury. Am I sorry that I was not injured ? Absolutely not.. There are so many things requiring my attention and involvement I am glad I was not sidelined..
Did God get my attention ? You bet He did.. Do not become complacent or take for granted the grace and goodness of the Lord..
While speaking a friend and relating the events surrounding this moment we pondered on God calling leaders to remain vigilant (which praise God I did) and he then commented on how leaders were so suscptible to being tripped up and being sidelined.. In a moment of revelation God dropped into my mind the thought that it is not leadership that so often trips people up BUT it is effective leadership..
Example: King David. It is whilst enjoying the fruit of the effectiveness of leadership that he becomes lax and susceptible to temptation...He falls not when he is struggling to establish himself as a leader BUT rather after having already established himself..
In 2 Corinthians Paul speaks about the thorn in the flesh. Because of amazing revelation God allows Paul to be afflicted by a thorn in the flesh.. This messenger from satan buffets him daily and this keeps him in check, stops him from becoming conceited and puffed up.. Keeps him dependent on God. Remember, Paul pleaded with God to remove the thorn. So it must have been painful and uncomfortable.. Here is the crazy thought: Every effective leader should have some painful affliction to keep them from becoming conceited or puffed up !! What is yours ?
Quite amazing is the realisation that I have often envisaged effective leadership as being characterised by freedom from such affliction.. How true it is of me that I have like Paul pleaded with God to remove any affliction, pain or discomfort from my life.. Now I am a thinking that perhaps I should see through a different lens, process my experiences through a different pradigm.
Well the bottom line is this: The subtle trap of effective leadership is the idea that I have now arrived and I am invincible !
Eric, take heed when you stand lest you fall.. I encourage fellow leaders to be aware of the subtelty of effectiveness and as you recognise all the hallmark signs that you are becoming an effective leader, welcome the thorn in the flesh - it has been sent for your own good.. Remember that you and I are to reflect the son - we are not the son.. If we look good, or appear effective, remember it is just a reflection of our Lord and master - so stay clean and give a good reflection. The son cannot reflect well off a dirty surface !!
Be blessed and please feel free to comment or contact me at ericgarnie@gmail.com
