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God Gives the Increase
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While leadership demands initiative, responsibility, and proactive problem-solving, it is equally important to understand that after every action, every plan, and every effort, there comes a point of surrender. We realize that, in the grander scheme of things, outcomes aren’t entirely within our control. This perspective is beautifully encapsulated in the biblical phrase, “God gives the increase” (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6).
The Paradox of Action and Surrender
Leadership can sometimes become an intoxicating dance of control. When we constantly steer, guide, and intervene, it’s easy to believe that outcomes are entirely the result of our actions. However, as Christians we know that God is ultimately in control, and sometimes God’s plans aren’t what we prefer or expect. After we have planted and watered, it is God who provides the growth.
This sense resonates with what Gamaliel, a Pharisee and respected voice in the Sanhedrin, remarked in Acts 4. Concerning the budding movement of Christ’s disciples, he advised his fellow leaders not to take rash actions against them. His rationale? If their efforts were of human origin, they would fail. But if they were from God, no one could stop them. Gamaliel recognized the principle that human endeavor has limits and that the ultimate outcome is beyond human hands.
The outcomes are ultimately always in God’s hands. God may not dictate everything that happens, but he does sign off on everything. Sometimes he does have a specific will that is not the same as our preferences. We must ultimately be surrendered to his will.
Embracing Humility
In acknowledging that “God gives the increase,” we must embrace humility. This humility is not an admission of powerlessness but a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. While God wants to empower us to be able to control our actions, intentions, and efforts, the results always lie ultimately in God's hands.
This theology does not negate the importance of diligent work or absolve us as leaders from responsibility. It merely serves as a reminder that, after we have done our utmost, we need to step back and allow God to work in ways we may not comprehend. There's an immense freedom in understanding and accepting that not every venture will succeed, even if we have given it our all. Because God, in his omniscience, knows the broader picture, understands the intricate web of events, and sees the ripple effect of actions in ways we cannot.
There are countless stories of endeavors that seemed flawless in planning and execution but did not yield the expected results. Yet, in retrospect, many leaders have found that what seemed like failures paved the way for unforeseen opportunities, personal growth, or valuable lessons. In surrendering the outcome to God, we find peace, knowing that success is not just about visible results but also about personal and communal growth, learning, and alignment with God’s higher purposes.
In a world that often equates success with tangible outcomes, it is a radical yet essential shift for leaders to embrace the philosophy that God gives the increase. It is about balancing the drive for achievement with the wisdom of surrender. It is the delicate interplay of doing our best and then leaving the rest to God.