I am so grateful that Jesus is patient. He does not grow faint or nor discouraged and He is faithful to bring to pass all that He has purposed in His heart. One of the most striking things I have learned about leadership from Jesus is the issue of tenderness. His leadership is one that is not in rush. Often when looking at the issue of leadership is the need to remember that a leader is exactly that, a leader. A good leader is not someone with their own agenda trying to force to get their way as soon as possible. A leader is one who knows who they are leading and works with the ones they are over. It is the place of knowing how hard to push and when to let the group breathe. Concerning this issue I think one of the clearest pictures is the Lord taking a leader up to heaven to rebuke him saying that his impatience would in fact hurt many.
It would be nice if every crisis resolved itself in an hour and a half like many movies, but that certainly is not the case in real life. It is a travesty to assume that everyone you are leading is on the same page as you and that everything will work flawlessly. Leaders are leaders for the very reason that those around them are not leading, picking up the charge, or are bringing proper change or needed growth.
More often than not, the reason that change has not been made or leadership has not been taken up is because what is needed takes effort, energy, and is in fact difficult. If leadership were not difficult, there would be no need for leaders because everything needed would have taken care of itself already. One can look at the old maxim, “Rome was not built in a day.” Joshua did not just easily move into Canaan. David did not show up at the royal courts as soon as Samuel left his family’s house. Jeremiah was not given a binder of information for him to leave on the royal doorstep. Jesus had to be in the wilderness for forty days before starting his ministry after waiting thirty years. Paul labored in Corinth for months and his witness is very clear that up until he died he was leading many congregations.
There are no real guarantees in leadership. Leadership involves people and it involves time. It takes place in a fallen and broken world. On top of that it involves not only navigating through one’s own brokenness and sin but others as well. If that was not enough it also is a red flag for the devil’s attack. In an hour where darkness rages and wickedness all too often is affirmed, what is needed are those who choose righteousness and lead despite the difficulties surrounding their current situations.
That which stabilizes the believer in the place truly is the knowledge of God. It is His power and grace that guide and help many lead. Looking throughout church history it is clear to see that the only perfect leader was and is Christ. Leaders fail, stumble, and do things far from perfectly. However, leadership is vastly needed in this hour and especially needed from those who refuse to shrink back from the daunting situations. Leadership is not a call for showmanship but rather plowing and pioneering. Looking towards the days to come one verse grips me concerning this, it is Daniel 11:32. It simply says, “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” This is what is needed in this hour, those who have built their houses on the rock of the knowledge of God who are ready to endure the storm.
(This was published at 5:44 P.M. on Wednesday, March 16, 2011)
This was very good Jonathan.
It always comes back to the knogwledge of God doesn’t it? Are you posting still from Japan?