“If you want to know if you are leading people, look to see if anyone is following you.” We have all heard a quote similar to this, but I wonder if it is only partially true. Sure, a leader that has no followers is only “taking a walk” but what about those times when a leader is called to take people to a difficult place? Any leader worth their salt has many stories of accusations and problems they have faced when attempting to influence change or growth. Yet there must be a balance as a leader between looking in the rear view mirror and keeping your eyes on the road ahead. And, there might even be another dimension that we are not even thinking about, a dimension that enables a leader to be resilient even in the face of rejection.
Introducing Moses…Perhaps there has never been a leader in history with a more difficult role. The people of Israel he was called to lead, continually complained, falsely accused and rejected him as their leader. Even from his very first attempt at leadership in the flesh in Exodus 2, the ironic accusation “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” played itself out time and again throughout Moses’ life. Makes you wonder if rejection is “par for the course” as a leader.
It is interesting how strikingly different Moses reacts to this rejection before he is actually called by God to lead. Early on he tries to intercede as leader of Israel in a relatively small dispute among his kinsmen. Yet, without a divine commission and call to lead, Moses runs from the rejection he faces and wants nothing to do with leadership. (Ex 2:11-15) Then God gets a hold of Moses and calls him to an enormous task. God assures Moses at the burning bush that “I will be with you” but, Moses stalls with objections and excuses - “Who am I to go?” “I don’t know enough about you God.” “What if the people don’t take me seriously?” “I hate public speaking.” It is almost as if he needs to be pushed into leadership! Then after the burning bush incident where Moses is assured of his call and the presence of God in his life, there is not stopping him! Even looking at the example of Jesus who knew he was “sent from his Father”(Jn 8:42) one can’t help but wonder how essential a “call and commission” of God is, in order to overcome the difficulties one will face in leadership.
When talking about “the call of God” one inevitably gets defensive in our culture because of a perceived arrogance from those “called” to lead. This call has been abused by those that may attempt to influence others in ways that are not honouring to God. But, does that mean we should dismiss it?
There is a scene in the movie Gladiator where the current Caesar is dying and needs to choose a successor. Not wanting an insecure and weak leader on the throne he doesn’t want to choose his son. Instead, he turns to his top general Maximus and asks him to be the next leader of Rome. Maximus’s response reveals an attitude that should be more prevalent in leaders today. He responds, “With all my heart, no.” Caesar’s response is even more fitting, “That is why it must be you.” He knew that a leader seeking power and prestige would utterly fail in the face of rejection and difficulty. And, that sometimes the best leaders need to be pushed into leadership.
Perhaps there are more and better leaders sitting in the sidelines in our churches today. There may even be more potential in the people that shy away rather than the popular ones that assert themselves to the front of the pack. Moses sure needed a “push” into his calling at the burning bush!
A leader that I look up to once told me about a disgruntled church member that in the middle of a tense moment blurted out, “It must be hard to keep 200 people happy!” He humbly retorted, “Sometimes it is my job to keep 200 people unhappy, to be faithful to the calling of God.” Perhaps leadership has very little to do with the desires of the leader or those called to follow. Perhaps leadership is about a humble submission before God and the calm assurance that you never really wanted this and it wasn’t your idea anyway. That calm assurance and call will enable any leader to rely on something beyond them in face of rejection. So sure, as a leader look behind and look ahead when faced with rejection, but most of all remember this wasn’t your idea, it was God’s.
Hey Brent,
ReplyDeleteGod's been leading me through Exodus in my devotions. I was expecially struck by the ESV's rendering of Exodus 4:13, "But [Moses] said, 'Oh my Lord, please send someone else.'" I think most of us can relate with that feeling! I really appreciate your insights. It seems that good leaders all have courage and an assurance of calling (but not arrogance about it). I'm encouraged too that God supplies people to help leaders at key moments and in areas where they have less ability - guys like Aaron (although he did not always help)Hur and Jethro. Keep stirring up your gift, brother.