Succession Planning

2 Kings 23:32, 37, & 24:9 ESV

And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father(s) had done.

Planning for the future is a really difficult thing. Even as humans are compelled to look into the future and plan the way they should go or the path they should take (Proverbs 16:9) it doesn’t take many years of those plans falling through before the realization that such things should be held lightly. One of the great travesties of our age segregated culture is being denied the reality of watching as those so influential in our lives are taken from us and ushered into eternity. Watching as those left behind try and cope with the world they are given. As we read through the text of scripture we continue to find ourselves in the “cycle of apostacy” as Gods people repent follow but are seemingly completely inept at conveying their faith to their children.

The text sited above shows that this was a difficulty for one of the greatest kings in Judah, as Josiah’s reign is followed by his son who is not prepared to follow Christ, and who God records as evil. Few are the good Kings who are blest to have good kings follow them. What are we to learn from this unfortunate reality? As we look at the text it becomes plain that all great leaders eventually die and leave what they have built to others. Are we prepared to give all our hard work to someone else? Have we prepared our families, churches, and institutions, to carry on faithfully the Kingdom work that was entrusted to us? Succession planning is a business term designed around those organizations who have been given great leaders and wisely understand that nothing lasts forever, including those leaders.

As I look to the future of my family I am often overwhelmed by my love for them. How will they be provided for? Who will lead them? Who will preach the Gospel over and over that they might love it? What steps am I taking to plan for the reality of separation from them?

The Scripture makes it clear that we are to plan for the reality of departure. We are to grasp fully that this is not our home and we are not citizens of this world. We are to love our neighbors enough to leave a lasting legacy of Christian witness. How are we going to do that? How is our church going to speak into generation after generation if we are not raising up generation after generation to take the mantel from us?

CRUCE, DUM SPIRO, FIDO