You probably know the term “Ebenezer,” which means “stone of help.” You may know the story from 1 Samuel 7 in which God miraculously intervenes to deliver the people of Israel from an enemy army that was poised to attack. The passage concludes, “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up … He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the LORD helped us'” (1 Samuel 7:12). This is one of several instances when God’s people set up markers to remind themselves of God’s deliverance in the face of impossible odds. 

The practice of remembering is a rich spiritual discipline. When faced with difficult circumstances, our human tendency is to either give up or muscle up. One is an act or resignation and the other an act of self-reliance. But a better response is to look up and remember how God has intervened in the past. 

How? Here are 5 specific ways:

• Look back at old journals. If you have kept spiritual journals, review some of your old entries to be reminded of prayers that God has answered.
• Start a new journal. Perhaps you don’t have old journals to review. You can always start one, reflecting on the “God moments” in your life.
• Talk to a joyful person. Some people just exude joy. Have a conversation with one of those friends and ask their secrets for maintaining such a positive outlook. 
• Redirect doomsayers. At the other extreme, some people quickly pull you into a whirlpool of negativity. If you find that happening, interrupt and ask what God might be doing or teaching in this moment. 
• Read the inspiring stories of faithful saints. Whether in Scripture or contemporary accounts, these stories remind us that we are not alone and that God is present and active in all circumstances. 

Try one or more of these practices. You may discover that Ebenezer stones are all around you. 

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This strange time of isolation is surprisingly one of the loudest seasons I have ever experienced. The TV features a different “breaking news” story every few minutes that seems even more urgent than the last. If you turn the TV off, your phone will keep dinging with new alerts. And if that feature is disabled, we still have a mind-numbing amount of information at our fingertips. Then there are the many artists, entertainers, and religious leaders who, with the best of intentions, are releasing an overwhelming amount of content to help us get through the crisis.

Is there any space in your life right now where you experience silence? Where you can slow your breathing and listen for what God might be saying? I’m discovering that I need more of those moments, just when the outside forces are conspiring to take them away. I will confess to losing the battle and over-consuming content too frequently. What about you?

The second half of this blog’s title is “take note.” Because in the midst of crises, God is always present and always wants to teach us something. Of course there are large-scale lessons (global, national) to be learned, but I’m more interested in the local and personal ones. What might God be saying about your church or ministry? About you and your leadership?

As you carve out the space to be silent and to listen, I invite you to literally take notes. What are you hearing from God? What changes do you need to make? Perhaps “going back to normal” isn’t what God wants for us. Capturing your reflections in some form (paper or electronic) makes it much more likely that you will remember and act on them when we get to the other side of this crisis.

I recognize the irony of this blog: I’ve created more content for you to consume. So put your device aside and create the space to listen and take note(s). I don’t know what you’ll hear, but I’m certain you’ll be glad you did. 

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There is always a price to be paid in leadership. In stressful and uncertain times, when leaders need to step up more than ever, that price tends to be much higher. But just like a car engine, if you run above the red line for too long, damage will occur.

So how can you lead well in a chaotic time AND stay below the red line? 

• Lean on wise advisers. Do you find yourself saying or thinking, “It all depends on me”? That’s a sure sign that you’re shouldering too much of the burden on your own. If you’re in the first chair, the buck may ultimately stop on your desk, but that doesn’t mean you have to operate solo. In turbulent times, it is especially important to seek counsel from others. 
• Vent to trusted friends. Beyond wise advisers, leaders in high stress seasons often need to talk with people outside their contexts. As the pressure mounts, conversations with a counselor, coach, or trusted friend can help you reduce stress, regain perspective, and recharge for what’s ahead. Think of these friends as a resource for lowering your leadership RPM’s below the red line.
• Commit to physical wellness. We think of stress primarily in emotional terms, but it has a significant physical component as well. Rather than getting less sleep because you’re so busy, make it a priority to get more sleep. The same is true for physical exercise – running, swimming, biking, etc. If you haven’t had an exercise regimen, at least take daily walks. It’s amazing how much your stress will be lowered and your mind recharged with even 30 minutes of physical activity. 
• Elevate your spiritual disciplines. The greatest power for leading in chaos comes from above. It is tempting to spend less time reading Scripture, praying, or engaging in spiritual disciplines when there are so many demands on our time. But these are the practices that can provide the wisdom, perspective, and peace that we desperately need. Remember the words of Martin Luther: “I have so much to do that I must spend the first three hours in prayer.” 

I doubt that this blog has said anything you don’t already know, but maybe it’s reminded you of something you need to do. You may want to forward it to a friend, either to ask for their support or to encourage them to lead below the red line.

In closing, I will share the verse that I keep reflecting on right now: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5). 

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The story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples is very familiar. If you’re a preacher, you’ve probably taught it many times and may do so again during Holy Week. 

This scene has also been the subject of many paintings. In the many ways the scene has been portrayed, one thing that is consistent is the disciples complete focus on Jesus. It would be absurd to portray Peter reading a scroll (or looking at a smart phone) will having his feet washed by the Messiah.

So take moment for self-examination. What is your level of engagement in those moments when you are purposefully in Christ’s presence? I know that he is always with us, but I’m referring to the times when you are studying Scripture, praying, meditating, or intentionally practicing any other spiritual discipline. Does Jesus have your full and complete attention? Are you eagerly watching and listening for what he will say? Or in contrast, if an artist painted your scene, would the picture show you with a distracted expression on your face?

I will admit that this blog is confessional. I have a consistent rhythm of reading the Bible and praying when I get up in the morning. But far too often, I’m distracted by thoughts of an unresolved challenge or a busy agenda that lies ahead. I don’t have an easy solution to this problem, but I’m aware that I wouldn’t want that portrait to be on display for the world to see. And I’m reminded of Jesus’ words to Martha: “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one.” I will try to remember that the next time I get distracted. 

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I was recently in the Florida panhandle to lead a learning cohort for senior pastors. Our overnight meeting was at a beach hotel, so I got up a little before sunrise for a walk on the beach. The horizon gradually grew brighter and more colorful, and then the first part of that glowing orange ball came into view. I don’t think that I will ever get tired of watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset. 

On that particular morning, the sunrise was also an important spiritual experience for me. As I turned to walk back toward my hotel, God’s Spirit whispered to my soul, “I’ve got this. I took care of the sunrise you just saw, and I’ll take care of all the burdens that you’re carrying … if you’ll give them to me.”

It was a much needed reminder for me. I’m well aware of my tendencies toward control and perfectionism. I can easily become the poster child for the old saying, “If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” The problem is that I can’t do it all myself. And I especially can’t control the ultimate outcomes of my work as a coach and consultant, or as a parent.

This blog has mostly been confessional, but I know that it’s also applicable for many of the leaders that I work with. You want your church or ministry to thrive and to live into its full potential. But that genuine, God-honoring desire can easily cause you to cross the line from being a faithful steward of the leadership gifts that God has given you to feeling like everything depends on you. You find yourself saying “I’ve got this” more often than you should.

I started writing this blog in the Denver airport, waiting to see if I could get a standby spot on an early flight to be home for a family event. There was absolutely nothing I could do to clear the standby list – I just had to sit and wait. I’m finishing this blog sitting on the last seat that was available on that flight, looking at the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, and hearing God say again, “I’ve got this.”

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My flight landed in a small airport, and I immediately switched my phone out of “airplane mode” so that I could check my email. But my phone didn’t cooperate, instead showing a “no signal” indicator in the top left corner. I waited a few seconds with no change. So I turned the phone off, turned it back on, and waited. Still no signal. In the terminal, the results were the same. I didn’t receive a signal until I was getting into my rental car. Needless to say, it was a frustrating 15 minutes.

Later that day, I felt the Holy Spirit bring this incident back to mind. It was as if God was saying, “You were frustrated that your phone wouldn’t connect. Why don’t you have the same emotions when you’re not connecting with me?”

Ouch! I couldn’t really argue. Just a couple of days earlier, I had a very early flight, so I didn’t take the time to read my Bible and commune with God before leaving for the airport. Nor did I find a quiet place at the airport for a few minutes of prayer or turn my focus to God once I boarded the plane. I was too focused on the “important” tasks of the day.

I know that I’m a better person when I set aside time to start my day with God. Not a hasty prayer as I’m walking out the door but communing with my Creator in a dedicated, unhurried way. And I know that the signal from God is never lost but is always available for me. I just need to not put my spiritual life in “busy mode.”

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• They allow life-giving activities to be pushed to the side. This pattern emerges when mundane and administrative tasks fill a leader’s day. It’s the pastor who loves spending time 1-on-1 helping people take the next step of discipleship, but can’t remember the last time that actually happened.
• Activities that were once life-giving have become a burden. This may occur because God is shaping the person for something new, but it often happens when a frantic pace makes it impossible to enjoy anything. It’s the person who loved preaching, but now doesn’t have time to prepare and resorts too often to “Saturday night specials.”
• Problems are allowed to linger. Churches and ministries have a habit of ignoring problems rather than dealing with them. But those problems rarely go away on their own. Instead, they keep coming back, taking considerable time and emotional energy for the leader, and contributing to the previous two issues.