Luke 22: 26
But it is not this way for you; rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.
Today, like many of you, I am stunned at what transpired at our nation’s capital yesterday. (Of course, I am writing this on Thursday.) Maybe you are finding it hard to recover today. I know I am and nothing I studied in Political Science or Law School prepared me for the recent events. We barely even have Political Science terms to explain what we have witnessed.
However, the minister and pastor in me has overridden the political scientist. I am in awe of our God who on Tuesday led me to a Word of the Day from July of 2015 entitled “Leadership Trait” which I reposted yesterday. Yesterday, leadership values were tested at many levels. What stands out to me is God sending that post, for I am now, fully aware that I didn’t send it, nor was it happenstance that I came across it on Tuesday or that my interest was piqued to read it. It was God who sent “Leadership Trait” on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 and I am both awed by that and humbled.
Here is what I wish to say about these events and each one of us. The people we send to Washington or to our state capitals are not the leaders. We are! And unless we take our role seriously, our democracy will fail. Jesus bought our freedom with his life, but it is up to each one of us to guard these precious privileges that have been granted us.
In the church, and certainly in ministry, we talk about servant leaders. God ordained that leaders be first, and foremost, servants. This is a truth needfully remembered. The people we elect to represent us are to serve us and the power is to remain and rest with the people. This is another truth we would do well to remember. I think we need to remind those we elect that their job is to serve us. Equally important is for us to remember that it is incumbent upon each and every one of to be a leader. It is we who are supposed to be role models and teachers.
One of our number commented Wednesday on “Leadership Trait” that he was going to put his leadership to work immediately on his job. I cannot express how grateful I was for his comment for that is the exact work of the ministry. I am called to mine the Word and give you its nuggets, but it is you, my beloved, who go out into the world and demonstrate the compassion of Christ, love, forgiveness, generosity, service and all the other great things Jesus teaches us.
Some of the people in Washington have let us down this week but others have stood up and proclaimed their Christian values. And lest I lead you down the wrong path, by Christian values I do not mean opposing abortion. I am not talking about policy positions. I am talking about character traits and the fruit of the Spirit. We need to send a very strong and very loud message by our words and our actions to all elected officials and others in “leadership” positions about kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, love, etc. (Galatians 5: 22). We need to lead by example every single day in our routine lives and by so doing, we set the bar and proclaim our expectations. We cannot lie, cheat, steal, argue, gossip, backbite or serve our selfish ambitions. If there was ever a sign that it is time for the church to rise up and be counted, you saw it on Wednesday and the fact that our Father sent out a message about leadership on that day without me having a clue what was coming is a prophetic call to each one of you! You are the leaders of this country and I trust your hearts.
I do not intend to sound meek or quiet. I am explicitly calling upon you to stand for what Christ died for. It is time for each of us to, daily, take our role in God’s great plan seriously. You have been called, by God, and we must each one answer that call devotedly and solemnly. I beg you to write yourself a 3 X 5 card and post it prominently where you will see it routinely and be reminded how important, nay, vital you are to the Kingdom. In His grace.
Forward this to everyone you know.