Know, Go, Show

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." (John C. Maxwell)

Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side—leaders whose decrees permit injustice? (Psalm 94:20)

The more we attempt to justify 'bad leadership' in any form, the more we will slip into all manner of injustice, impurity, and unwholesomeness. How is it possible for a leader to create such a mess in the lives of so many? Easy - people get behind the leader because of charisma or popularity, without even looking deeper into the integrity of the leader's heart. Unjust leaders might declare that God is on their side, but when the heart of a man has never really submitted to the authority and leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ, he is charismatic at best. As Maxwell points out, a leader with integrity will not only know the way to walk, but he will also consistently go that way, and is able to show others how to find that way themselves. 

To know, one must be exposed to truth. This is the first great trait of a leader of integrity. He is not walking in his own devices but has placed truth at the forefront of his mind, allowing it to affect all his actions. Leaders are called upon to learn a great many things, but I daresay the greatest 'learning' that can be done is done while his Bible is open, his heart is in tune with God's, and his ears are attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in his life. Perhaps the making of a great leader begins in the quietness of his own time alone with Jesus, but that 'alone time' overflows into all he does as he goes throughout his day.

To go, one must know the path he is to travel. It would be foolish to set out on a journey without any real understanding of where you were going, what you might encounter along the way, and how it is you might need to prepare yourself for what is ahead. We have leaders who 'set out' on a course, but when there are obstacles or unforeseen circumstances that stand in the way, they change direction at the first sign of difficulty. With a constantly changing course, we seldom get to any particular destination! We might be moving, but what does that movement really accomplish?

To show, one must realize there is more wisdom in walking the talk than in any form of 'directive' one might issue. The example a leader sets is perhaps his most valuable tool. It reveals what he believes and how much his beliefs influence his actions. Beliefs held are one thing, but beliefs modeled are quite another. One might say the mark of a good leader is being a 'role model' for others who are looking to align with their vision. A vision is only as good as the leader who is able to show others the way. We are all called to be leaders of one form or another. Will we be leaders who know, go, and show? Just askin!

The top of the heap

Someone once told me if you have to tell someone how smart you are, you probably aren't all that smart. Those who rise to positions of power, whether it be in terms of job or perhaps leadership within government, need not tell us of their intellect, but should model it in their actions. I believe it was Bruce Lee who said, "Knowledge will give you power, but character respect." Those who seek to lead don't need power as much as they need the respect of those they are leading!

A nation without wise leaders will fall. Many good advisors make a nation safe. (Proverbs 11:14 ERV)

In today's news, we will likely catch wind of one or more controversies in government stemming from policy to practice, or privilege to poverty. All of the world's eyes will be directed for just a moment or two to some sound-byte that was likely taken out of context and is then sensationalized for all to hear over and over again. Leaders today have a great responsibility - but I wonder if some of them really recognize how much they lead by their example and not by what they tout as knowledge or intellect.

Our challenge comes in doing as scripture declares - praying for our leaders and their wisdom to make the right decisions. Proverbs 8:16 reminds us it is with God's help that leaders make good decisions and govern with the wisdom they so desperately need. Isn't it our responsibility to lift them up in prayer and not to tear them down in social media? I may not agree with all the controversy raised by those in office at present, but these individuals have been selected to lead - like it or not. God turns the head of the leader wherever he wants - we have the honor and privilege of serving him first, then lifting our leaders up to him second.

If you ever aspire to a position of leadership, this may be the hardest venture of your lifetime. Being at the "top of the heap" is not always what we believed it would be while aspiring to get there! We may find there are a whole lot more eyes upon us than we ever imagined, each with an opinion all their own about how we should "lead" so they can "follow" as they like. The "top" places a person in plain view of all - making it harder to go unnoticed when you slip up, or a little more challenging when you don't have the right answer for the issue at hand. The "top" is terrifying at times and whoever is in that place needs our prayers. Just sayin!

It is time for us to pray!

Don’t fall in love with this corrupt world or worship the things it can offer. Those who love its corrupt ways don’t have the Father’s love living within them. All the things the world can offer to you—the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things, and the pompous sense of superiority—do not come from the Father. These are the rotten fruits of this world.  (1 John 2:15-16 VOICE)

There are all kinds of reasons why we are enticed to move toward certain behaviors or attitudes which are pervasive in our culture today, but none quite so strong as that of fulfilling some pleasure, gaining some possession, or thinking we have been able to "one up" someone else. It seems to be at the center of much of what was said by one "side", shown, and/or spoken about in this past political campaign season. Now, in the wake of the aftermath of what has been called the "ugliest" of campaigns in history, the fall-out of evil is pervasive everywhere we look. 

I watched the news last night only to realize we have elementary aged children, not even past the age of eight, telling each other in rather hateful ways that they are about to get deported because their family is of "a different" culture or race. School classrooms are emptied as high school students take to the streets to protest the results of the election. Major roadways are being blocked while other protesters take a stand against what they call a "bogus and corrupt" election. Social media continues to be abuzz with all manner of criticism of others because they stood for one candidate or another. I thought I had seen just about as much protesting and violence as I might have seen in my lifetime, being a child who grew up during the 60's and 70's when the draft was resisted, women's rights were sought with such passion, and our country's involvement in wars they didn't think needed to be fought were at the height of all our thoughts and attention. 

It is time for us to remember one very important thing - "It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you." (Romans 13:1-3) One of the most important things we must keep in mind: "The king’s heart is like a channel of water directed by the Eternal: He chooses which way He bends it." (Proverbs 21:1)  While it may not look like God is in control, for those who have placed their trust in him, we must never lose sight of the tremendous amount of care he takes to ensure we are always in his hands and at the center of his care.

We cannot pit ourselves one against another - this is just not right - it neither honors God, nor does it value each other. We cannot move toward evil, but rather must rise up in right-living, manifesting our trust in a higher power. We must not tear down the beliefs of one to escalate the beliefs of another. God's desire is for us to come humbly before him, pray for our leaders, and trust him with the outcome. It may just prove true that if we will bind together in peaceful submission to his guidance and care that we will find our greatest strength as a nation. The truth is that things will never be as we want them to be as long as evil is present on this earth. We can only do what we know is right, respond in love toward one another, and trust God with the rest. Just sayin!