As a leader, you face a lot of great projects to take on, a lot of good directions to go. But in Friday's first session, Priscilla Shirer reminded the Catalyst crowd to proceed only down those paths on which you sense God's presence.

"God often shocks you with his plan," she said. "But when God interrupts your life, will you obey?

In her sermon she unpacked the story of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan. She presented Joshua as a paragon of leadership. What did he do right?

1) He acted immediately in obedience to God. Are you procrastinating? Waiting for God to give the task to someone else? Stop, and follow God without hesitation.

2) He acted fearlessly. The Bible is filled with commands to be not afraid. Joshua faced a daunting task of crossing the Jordan, but he put fear aside and followed God's leading.

3) He acknowledged the presence of God. Joshua waited for the Ark of the Covenant. He Joshua didn't say "I'm the leader follow me." He said "There's God—let's follow him." ...