6 Principles for Any Servant Leader Trying to Navigate the Wilderness
Photo by David McLenachan on Unsplash
The past two years have been some of the most angst filled years I can remember. We have weathered the brunt of Covid 19, although the virus is still among us. Some lost loved ones and some are suffering long term conditions because of the virus. It has certainly changed the way we live, relate and work.
We have also experienced the Great Resignation. It is estimated that 20% of the entire U.S. work force will quit their jobs by the end of 2022. The percentages are much higher for those in healthcare and education.
Moreover, are the worldwide realities of a war in Ukraine, a 40-year high inflation rate, and an ever-changing political landscape with real consequences on the ground. And these circumstances do not even touch other aspects of our personal lives that may be causing anxiety, confusion, and exhaustion.
There is an ancient motif that serves us well as we attempt to navigate these trying times. The Bible talks a lot about the wilderness. Don’t picture Yosemite National Park or the Appalachian Trail with their wild beauty. Picture the Judean desert of Israel. In this four-part series we will first look at what it means to be a leader in the wilderness (2 posts)—then we will look at what leading in the wilderness encompasses (2 posts).
The Nature of the Wilderness
To understand this motif, we must define the wilderness in ways that resonate with our realities and provides us with a helpful framework for understanding.
Merriam-Webster defines “wilderness” as an empty or pathless area, wild and uncultivated, bewildering--which can result in a loss of bearings. I don’t know about you, but this language connects for me. To this day I have trouble making sense of the calendar pre-Covid and post-Covid. I am no longer sure what happened when. I know you have had similar experiences.
It is also helpful to grasp the biblical definitions of “wilderness.” In the Old Testament language of Hebrew, “wilderness” primarily takes on geographical dimensions. It simply, and clearly, represents the nature of an open field, a desert, or some other uninhabited land. In the New Testament language of Greek, “wilderness” can carry the connotations of one’s personal state or emotions. It can describe a place or personal state of being solitary, lonely, desolate, or feeling deserted by others. It can also be descriptive of one who is deprived of aid, protection, or friendship.
Overall, you uncover a picture of the wilderness which is both geographical and a state of being. The experience of a wilderness season for the leader can be one of doubt, fear, and unbelief. It can leave one longing for former days—better days. There is the temptation to try and “return” to something more stable. Or one can react in a different way. A leader can also decide to double down on leadership bravado, trying to take control of the situation for self and others. But this often leads to a sense of entitlement, envy by comparison, and a false sense of expectations—all of which can derail your best leadership efforts.
Purposes and Principles from the Wilderness
Because the wilderness is a common motif within the Bible, there is much we can learn that can provide us with a framework of understanding in helping us navigate the pathless way.
It is helpful to note at the onset that sometimes we choose the wilderness and sometimes the wilderness chooses us. Our own choices can send us into the wilderness—both out of good and bad decisions. But circumstances outside of our control can also create a wilderness season.
When one looks at the overall data of the Bible to better understand the nature and purposes of the wilderness some clear principles emerge to provide a frame of reference. The best way to uncover these principles is by studying the various narratives of leaders in the Bible and their encounters with the wilderness. Some leaders experienced multiple wilderness seasons for extended periods of time. Here are six such principles:
1. The wilderness is never meant to be a place of habitation. The wilderness is always seasonal and never permanent. Therefore, we can be assured that it will come to an end.
2. The wilderness acts as a test to mature you, never as a test to score or grade you. God’s kindness uses difficult seasons to build perseverance and patience in us to increase our capacity and grow our character.
3. The wilderness is used by God to lead us to intimacy with him and dependence upon him. This is usually accompanied by a fresh encounter with God.
4. Almost always, the wilderness is a season of preparation for something else—a new calling of vocation or contribution.
5. The ultimate destination on the other side of wilderness is a state or condition of true rest marked by greater security, stability, and thriving.
6. There is always a seed of hope in the wilderness. Biblical hope is an ongoing period of waiting filled with expectation and patience. It is a verb as well as a noun. It is usually obvious when a wilderness season is beginning. But it is impossible to rightly predict when a wilderness season will end. Hope will help carry you through.
In the next post we will further define how someone can know they are in a wilderness season as well as look at some self-leadership pathways for growth.
By the way, did you know that the book of Numbers in the Old Testament, which is the story of the Israelite’s journey from Egypt into the promised land, was originally entitled “The Place of Wilderness.”
Fo more help navigating the wilderness as a leader check out our Leadership Coaching page and our Leadership Development Intensives page.
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