Dreaming in the Dirt

Hope For the Future

In your current leadership journey, where do you find yourself wishing, waiting, dreaming, or hoping? What are the challenges that frustrate you? In what areas do you compare your organization or department to others and feel you don’t measure up?

For ReLeaders, there's always an element that's out of place, something that doesn't align with how you know it should be.

Consider Abraham. He truly understands the struggles you face. Called to an unfamiliar land, promised greatness by God, he found himself in the humble confines of a tent, dreaming of a city's foundations. Read this carefully, focusing on the words in bold:

"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." Hebrews 11:8-10 (NASB1995)

Incredible, isn't it? Think about Abraham, who set out, not knowing his destination. Who lay amidst the dust of his tent, yet held onto the faith and audacity to dream of something grander. It's said, "he was looking for the city which has foundations." His quest was for something more, fueled by a belief in the possibility of better.

This strikes a chord with my own experiences — some days I excel, while on others, I'm markedly less successful.

• Dreaming of the right culture is tough when surrounded by the wrong one.

• Imagining financial gains is hard when you are stuck in financial pains.

• Motivating a team for victory is challenging when they're weary from past battles.

Every ReLeader must answer the question:

Am I Capable of Dreaming in the Dirt?

Dreaming in the Dirt

The essence of "Dreaming in the Dirt" is the embodiment of ReLeadership. Where one must acknowledge the present's imperfections while firmly holding onto the vision of what could be. It is about recognizing that the current state of disrepair is not a permanent fixture but rather the fertile soil from which the future will emerge.

Leaders today, much like Abraham, are often asked to take "blind steps" into the unknown. Hebrews 11:8 reminds us of Abraham's obedience to venture out, without the full picture of where he was heading. This leap of faith is a cornerstone of ReLeadership, emphasizing the importance of taking action even when the path is not fully illuminated.

Issac knew how to do this as well. In Genesis 26 we read that Isaac sowed a crop in the middle of a famine, and received a 100-fold return. In other words, he was dreaming in the dirt. He was planting seeds in a place and time when nothing should have grown, but God blessed his obedience and produced a crop that far exceeded his expectations.

The journey of a ReLeader is also highlighted by the ability to "live as an alien" in the transitional phase, as described in Hebrews 11:9. This notion of sojourning in a place that is destined to be transformed echoes the patience and resilience required of leaders who work with what is currently at hand, knowing it is not the end state.

Generational

Abraham's journey, shared with Isaac and Jacob and marked by their life in tents, paints a vivid picture of leadership that spans generations. This isn't just about individual achievements; it's about building something that lasts well beyond our own time. ReLeaders get this. They know that true leadership means creating and sharing a vision that's too large to be completed alone or in a single lifetime.

It's about thinking big - envisioning a legacy that will outlive us. This kind of vision isn't just for the here and now; it's for the future. It's about setting up a framework that others can build on, ensuring that the impact of your work continues, grows, and evolves, even when you're no longer at the helm.

Have a vision so big, that it cannot be finished in one generation.

Foundational

The mission Abraham embarked on was not just generational; it was foundational. As described in Hebrews 11:10, he sought a city with sturdy foundations, shaped by divine craftsmanship. This concept resonates deeply with ReLeaders. Often, the work they undertake lays the groundwork for future achievements. It's a silent, yet crucial effort. You lay the foundations, establish a healthy culture, and create systems and policies for future success. Yet, it's unlikely that years down the line, people will wonder who was behind these foundational efforts.

This brings us to an intriguing thought:

Can we plant trees under whose shade we might never sit?

This perspective, when woven into the ReLeadership framework, underscores that leadership is more than just managing or fixing problems. It's about having a transformative vision. It involves looking beyond current turmoil, having faith in the next steps, even if they lead into the unknown, and setting the stage for a future that others will build upon.

You’re a ReLeader.
THIS is what you do.
THIS is who you are.

Go fix broke stuff