Effective leaders learn how to improvise. That is, they understand the art of doing what you can, with you have, where you are…right now. Let’s consider a scene from the life and ministry of Samson in Judges chapter 15:

14. And when he came unto Lehi, the Philistines shouted against him: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and the cords that were upon his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands loosed from off his hands.

15. And he found a new jawbone of an ass, and put forth his hand, and took it, and slew a thousand men therewith.

16. And Samson said, With the jawbone of an ass, heaps upon heaps, with the jaw of an ass have I slain a thousand men.

17. And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand, and called that place Ramathlehi.

Judges 15:14-17, KJV

The jawbone of an ass is not the ideal weapon of choice when you are facing a vast army that is set in battle array against you. I’m sure if given a choice Samson would have preferred a new sword, shield, or armor of his choosing. That was not how the battle unfolded for him. His hand was forced and he had to use whatever was available to him in the heat of the moment.

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