“When you get to heaven, God is going to say, ‘Jack who?’”
Those were the words spoken to me by one of my mentors, because I allowed my vision to be steered by a person I put in a leadership role. I’ll refer to them as Jack.
I blamed Jack for why my business was heading in a downward spiral. My mentor quickly helped realign me. She called out some areas where I failed as a leader. While this was a tough conversation, I needed the reminder. I needed the accountability. And truth be told, I gave Jack too much rope.
My mentor imparted words of wisdom by explaining that, at the end of the day, I was responsible for the outcome of my business.
You see, God did not give the vision to Jack, but to ME.
And while I allowed this person a level of autonomy to steer the wheel, I represent the anchor. So while my business steered left, as the anchor, I am responsible for getting the ship back on course.
These past few months, I am gleaming from a pruning season. In nature, pruning is a process done to fruit-bearing plants to facilitate healthy growth. My leaves withered, crumbled, and even fell to the ground. But Once the season changed, I felt a newness of life.
I had to remember my why, who the vision was for, and that the vision was bigger than me. I’m recognizing my business needs and areas of opportunities in my leadership role.
A moment of reflection...
After reflecting on my journey, I awoke to a confirming word in my devotional study. I think this summarizes my previous season:
“Pruning can seem cruel; branches are left jagged and exposed to face the harsh winter. But the purpose of pruning is to give way to newness of life. When spring and summer come, there is an abundance of fruit. The sharp pruning knife will, in the end, bring fruitfulness and blessing.” (Bible in one year with Nicky Gumbel)
“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 NLT