Thriving in Chaos: Why Christian Leaders Must Step Out
Thriving in Chaos: How to Lead When the Way Isn’t Clear
How do we stand apart from the rest? What holds us back? Why don't we push harder?
These are questions every man faces at some point. I ask them myself daily, in work, in marriage, and in ministry. We live in a world of chaos, yet we crave order. We want things to be predictable, safe, and easy.
But as leaders, we have to ask ourselves if our craving for order is actually a mask for our fear of growth.
The Tension Between Order and Chaos
Jordan Peterson, in 12 Rules for Life, defines the two states this way:
"Chaos is where we are when we don't know where we are... Order is the place where the behavior of the world matches our expectations."
Many of us cling to order to avoid the discomfort of the unknown. Predictability feels easy, but true leadership and true growth exist in the tension between the two. You cannot build anything of substance by staying only where things are comfortable.
The Ultimate Trailblazer
We see the blueprint for this in Hebrews 12:2:
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus didn't stay in the comfort of order. He embraced chaos, uncertainty, and extreme risk to accomplish God’s mission. He was a trailblazer, a pioneer of faith who stepped into the ultimate unknown so that we could follow.
Step Into the Unknown
God calls leaders to the unknown. If we only live in order, we never grow, build, or impact the world. God didn't call us to just exist; He called us to lead, create, and endure.
Ask yourself today:
Where in my life am I just living in comfort?
Where have I chosen order over growth?
How can I step into chaos to grow?
Your Next Step
Once you identify that area, take one intentional step into the unknown. Trust God, He is with you in the chaos, and He will grow you through it.
