Scripture
And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:2-3

Observation
A non-leader sees things as they are. A leader sees things as they can be. The disciples could only diagnose the blind man’s problem. Jesus, on the other hand, could prophesy a miracle.

Jesus was more than optimistic. Optimism is never enough to make an overcoming leader because positivity is not weatherproof. Storms will come that will melt optimism. Something deeper with resources out of reach needs to feed the hope of a leader.

This is why successful leaders must be spiritual people. They can see not just what is happening on the surface but also what God is doing under the surface. Viewing problems must be a devotional experience, where the leader presents to God the condition and waits for insight to see what God can do.

Application
“Some men see things as they are and ask why I dream things that never were and ask why not.” Those words of Robert Kennedy could have been spoken by Jesus and need to be lived by me today.

Prayer
Father, help me to see under the surface to detect what you are doing. I believe Lord! Amen.