There is a purpose for human life. You might say that leadership is your destiny. But what sort of leadership are we talking about?
Becoming an Effective Leader
Can you and I learn to be effective leaders? And how do we go about such an education? It is something you pick up at a business school or acquire in the armed forces? Do you absorb it from the cradle, or discover it on the street? What does it take to be a true leader?
Many books and articles have been written about the traditional approach to leadership, but there is something missing. Our own methods of managing people can easily leave other human beings hurt in our wake. The first misunderstanding is the belief that leadership applies only to those people who are bosses or presidents. You do not have to be in authority (over someone) to be a leader. The most important form of leadership is much close to home.
For us personally, the most important aspect of leadership is, in reality, courageously leading ourselves through life. Jesus Christ often taught the people about leadership in his kingdom.
A new society in which those who learned the true way of life will share that understanding with others. And he defined true leadership now: shaping ourselves for positions of service later.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," Christ instructed (Matthew 6:33, New King James throughout).
A true leader conducts all aspects of his life with this goal in mind.
A Purpose for Your Life
With a long-term perspective, things may not get easier, nor do problems disappear. However, there is structure and meaning, a point in it all.
To build a fair and trustworthy government in the future, God needs good staff--not those who are going to repeat all the mistakes of the old societies. He needs men and women who can turn the vision into reality. Those who can express ideals in their day-to-day lives. He needs broad-minded people with long-term goals in life.
Such a government needs people who are in control of their own lives. People who are able to discipline themselves so they will not exploit those they are serving. "He who rules the spirit [is better] than he who takes a city," says Solomon in Proverbs 16:32.
This sort of leadership is internal. It applies to everyone and is for the good of everyone.
Different Style of Leadership
Even to say that God will be involved in government is almost blasphemous to some, because their experiences with authority have been so negative. By contrast, the whole of Christ's teaching about his coming government is completely different from all that has gone before. His disciples, however, immediately misunderstood him.
True to human ambition, they had their eyes set on great positions of power with themselves lording over those subordinate to themselves. Christ redefined everything. Some of the well-known statements of Jesus Christ area especially interesting when you think of them in terms of this inner redefinition of leadership. A couple of examples follow.
- Unless you become like a little child you will not be a part of the kingdom
(Matthew 18:4). - He who is greatest is he who serves
(Luke 22:26).
These statements bemused his listeners, who were accustomed to a totally different leadership style. They thought that serving others was something only lower classes did. People of prominence were expected to put their own needs first.
Jesus Christ was, of course, unique in many ways, including his style of leadership. Though his knowledge of the law startled the academics, he willingly shared his understanding with others.
His disciples were often irritated that he communicated ideas to those they would not even talk to. They preferred to preach to those they approved of. Jesus Christ's greatest leadership quality was his flawless example. His effectiveness came from his character within.
But how does this apply to us in the 20th century? An article in the magazine Management Review made a similar observation when it recorded, "the real struggle of leadership is internal."
The writers interviewed Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, joining the small international body of those who have conquered that great mountain. Mr. Whittaker recounted a lesson he learned from his climbing experience: "You never conquer a mountain. Mountains can't be conquered. You conquer your own hopes, your own fears."
The same principle Jim Whittaker discovered holds true off the mountain. It was practiced by Jesus Christ.
The truth is, the real struggle for leadership occurs in the mind. It is difficult to lead others further than we have gone ourselves. We cannot lead someone else to the light if we are in darkness.
The Bible describes the man worthy of his destiny as "he who overcomes" (I John 5:5, Revelation 21:7). Biblical proverbs show that being able to govern oneself is more important that outward accomplishments. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty," said Solomon (Proverbs 16:32).
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul saw self-control as one of the most important things we can have. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). For Paul, "good" was the sum total of all our thoughts and actions in harmony with God's perfect mind.
Leadership on the Inside
This kind of leadership or control over one's mind and body--the overcoming of error and sin-- cannot come about by human power alone. Without help, it lies beyond our grasp. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" wrote the apostle (Romans 3:23).
Paul himself realized he could not conquer sin on his own. "For to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find" (Romans 7:18). His good intentions were not enough to capture success. Despite the loftiest ideals, we can still fall on our faces.
We are hurt by our own lack of perfect character. We need some extra help along the way. Jesus said: "Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin" (John 8:34). He was using a familiar situation of the time to show that we cannot lead ourselves out of spiritual indulgence--it entangles us.
How do we succeed in overcoming sin? The answer is that we cannot succeed of ourselves. Only through the spiritual power of God ("Christ in us") can we overcome in our inner struggle for true integrity--real leadership.
Paul's conclusion was, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). Paul qualified to lead other by his victory over himself. He does not ask others to do anything he has not done himself. It is the same for us.
So how do we have Christ strengthen us? The answer is that we must ask. We must see the need and then have the fervent desire to win the personal battle, to be a true leader. Our own efforts roped together with empowering Spirit of God offer an unbeatable combination.
Leadership in Tomorrow's World
We have tremendous motivation in this. Paul knew there was laid up for him what he described as "a crown of righteousness"--the prize given to the victors in the race of life. He knew he would lead others to eternal life in the world tomorrow, and often referred to how much he desired this.
The apostle John made the same point crystal clear in the book of Revelation: "And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations" (Revelation 2:26). Further, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Revelation 3:21).
Our task is similar to that of Jesus Christ's. We must win the battle over ourselves--overcome--before we are able to truly help others. Overcoming is a theme of Revelation right to the end. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" (Revelation 21:7).
This is the goal of every true Christian! It is the reward for mastering oneself with God's help. ❒
