Understanding Leadership Pain
John Houston - Chief Executive Officer
The academic year is coming to a close, and as summer approaches, it’s a chance to reflect and do a mid-year check-in on where we’ve been and what we’ve experienced over the past six to nine months. 2024 has had some really great moments so far, and we’ve also faced some serious challenges. We’ve dealt with market instability, wars, and political tension, and some of us might feel beaten down or worn out. However, if we keep our perspective on God and what He’s doing in us, we’ll find the hope that He provides.
Just focusing on being better leaders or reworking our strategies isn’t the answer because only Jesus can give us the wisdom and satisfaction we need. He is my provision, and in Him, I will rest.
As we all go through hard times, it’s tempting to ask, “Why?” Why would God allow us to go through this? But I think the better question is, “What? What does God want to do through this situation?”
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”
John 15:1-2 (emphasis mine)
It might be that God is actually pleased with us – we’ve been bearing fruit, and now He wants to prune us so we can produce even more. I truly believe He prunes many of us so that we can be more fruitful, bearing richer, finer fruit.
Our responsibility is to abide (remain) in Him. When we go through difficulty, we have an opportunity to come together like never before!
God is giving us an amazing opportunity simply because He loves us and believes we can accomplish His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Our future holds the chance for healthier, fuller fruit in every area of our lives.
Pruning is painful, but the purpose isn’t to harm us but to grow deeper in Him and be integral to what He’s doing. His goal is to bring people to Him and His Kingdom to earth. We can participate by abiding in Christ, uniting with Him, growing in Him, and being unified with each other.
I envision our employees and departments choosing prayer, God’s Word, and uplifting conversations over gossip, social media, and negative comments. I’m not saying live in a bubble. I’m saying we can be better together with Christ, His Word, and each other. In this, we will taste and see the goodness of God.
Here’s some good news: you only prune the tree that belongs to you or the ones submitted to you. God prunes only His people. So if you are in the pruning process, rejoice, knowing it means you belong to Him.
What may God want to prune in you? Are you willing to surrender to His process?