Leading Well Through the Holiday Season – a six-part series aimed to help you lead and live well throughout the Holiday Season (Week 4)
By Bianca Schaefer
Week 4: Leading Well with Spiritual Discernment
Years ago, a mentor told me, “Never assume busyness means spiritual fruit.” Those words have followed me every December since. Because if there’s any season when noise, activity, and obligations can masquerade as spiritual depth, it’s this one. And yet—leadership without discernment quickly becomes leadership without direction.
During the holidays, your spiritual life can easily become rushed, reactive, or reduced to whatever margin is left at the end of a long day. But the most effective leadership always flows from discernment—hearing God, recognizing His nudges, and responding to His leading with clarity and confidence.
Discernment isn’t dramatic. It’s not always a booming voice, a bold sign, or an obvious answer. More often, it’s the gentle awareness of God at work in places we would normally overlook. It’s the quiet conviction that redirects your choices. It’s the unexpected peace that settles your spirit in the middle of a busy room.
Cultivating spiritual discernment requires intention, especially during a season filled with noise. But with a few simple practices, you can stay attuned to God’s presence and lead from a place of spiritual steadiness rather than seasonal chaos.
1. Protect Your Time with God
In busy seasons, quiet rhythms easily slip away, but creating even a small daily touchpoint with God strengthens your spiritual awareness. Try listening to an audio Bible or a single psalm while getting ready, praying through your calendar and inviting God into each meeting and responsibility, or sitting with one reflective question such as, “Lord, what are You shaping in me right now?” These practices help your heart stay connected to Him even when your schedule is full.
2. Look for God in Small Moments
Discernment often shows up in subtle places: a phrase that catches your attention, a sudden moment of stillness, a shift in your spirit, or a conversation that speaks more deeply than expected. During the holidays, God often whispers rather than shouts. Leading well requires listening for those quiet invitations.
3. Ask for Wisdom Daily
Leadership always involves decisions, and Kingdom leadership requires discernment. Begin your day by asking the Holy Spirit for wisdom—not just for big choices, but for how you speak, respond, delegate, and pace yourself. Wisdom is not reserved for crises; it’s available for every ordinary moment.
Leadership Challenge
Begin each morning this week with the simple prayer: “Lord, show me what matters today.” Pay attention to what He highlights, redirects, or gently shifts in your heart as the day unfolds.
Scripture Meditation
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”
— John 10:27, NIV
Prayer
Lord, open my ears to Your voice and guide my steps. In every place I lead, help me stay aligned with Your heart. Give me wisdom that is pure, peace-loving, and steady. Teach me to follow Your Spirit with confidence and clarity. Amen.
Blessing
May the Spirit renew your sensitivity to His whispers and anchor every decision you make in His wisdom and peace.