Several years back I was introduced to the weather rock. Somehow, I believe it was connected to the hillbilly forecaster mentality. It worked quite simply.

If the rock is wet, it is raining.

If the rock is white, it is snowing.

If the rock casts a shadow, it is sunny.

You get the point.

While the idea was useless in the realm of forecasting the future, it was great for the obvious.

It reminded me of how Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees and Sadducees how they were able to state the obvious regarding the signs of the weather, but were blind to the signs from heaven.

Well, our leadership needs to be about both. We need an eye for the obvious. We need to be tuned in to the environment and present circumstances all around us.

However, we also need a vision for the future. We need to see where we are going and what it will take to get there.

No creatively crafty approach will produce the kind of spiritual leaders God needs today. We need leaders who know the way and can point people to it!