Advance Warning System

Recently, I took up skiing... yep, that's right skiing!

Entering into my 50th year, I thought, "What better way to test my mental and physical strength than to hurtle myself down a steep and slippery incline at breakneck speed with minimal to no skills?" That first season on the slopes I could hear constant alarm bells going off in my ears warning me to either stop, slow down, or go get another lesson. Oddly enough, at times those alarm bells sounded a lot like my highly skilled skiing partner--my wife.

Little did I know at the time that I was placing myself in an icy, post-Grad level class on how to navigate rapid and sudden change without bringing irreparable harm to myself or others.

Those alarm bells that were ringing loudly were an Advance Warning System built into me by God to help me survive and grow.

We are in a world of rapid change at high speed, and it is only gaining steam. It's the kind of leadership world that can irreparably hurt you and others very quickly if you don't listen to the alarm bells going off. Leadership and businesses that will survive will listen to them and grow. Those that don't, won't.

Jesus was a quality "Heads Up" kind of leader. He knew rapid change was coming fast for planet earth, and those He had trained up to take over after He left needed to be well prepared for what was about to transpire.

“I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.” - John 14:29 NLT

Jesus gives His disciples advanced warning of what is to come. The reasons are two fold: 

1. So they won’t be taken off guard by the obstacle of sudden and extreme change.

2. So they will believe Him and therefore reinforce everything else that He has said as truth. 

History shows us that His Advance Warning System both prepared and strengthened His Disciples to advance during rapidly changing, and at times, seemingly impossible moments. They managed to heal the sick, establish social support systems, challenge religious and governmental authorities, gosh--even raise the dead! Often, they did so in the face of extreme opposition. 

When I look back over the past, I can see with greater clarity the things to come. That's how stories work. The next chapter makes sense in light of the chapters that preceded it.

Journaling each day through the Word of God is one of Jesus’ Advance Warning Systems for me. Journaling helps me to see the patterns in my leadership from the past, while also providing me with opportunity to hear from God in the present. This daily practice both prepares and strengthens me. Journalling helps me to see the direction, possibilities and necessary adaptations that He is leading me toward, so as to avoid the obstacles that lay ahead. And those obstacles are coming up for all of us at an alarmingly rapid rate.

My Advance Warning System is built in. It works. Journaling keeps me postured for sudden shifts without me loosing balance across my life and business, while at the same time keeps me moving at increasing speed and agility to stay ahead of the curve.

Do you have an Advance Warning System built into your spiritual leadership? Are you able to stay upright as different obstacles continue coming your way? Or are you found at times out of control on one leg with your hands flailing around in the air as your competitors fly past you with ease? Here at Anothen we have a proven track record of being able to help Senior Business Leaders across the world gain back balance and increase agility. We build leaders to hear from Heaven.

Perhaps today, you may join me in a prayer something like this,

"Jesus, thank You for the way You direct and lead me through Holy Spirit. Your Advance Warning System is there for me to access if I choose to listen to it. I pray for the insight needed as I enter into a season of reflection and preparation for 2023. Keep me strong, wise and agile. In Your name Jesus. Amen."

Tomorrow is another leadership kinda day. The slopes await!