Scripture
"My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right" (Pr. 23:15-16).
Observation
What pleases God? And if He is pleasable, what pleases Him the most? The religious leaders thought it was sacrifices, but the Psalmist states: "Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired" (Ps. 40:6).
In Proverbs, God reveals what brings Him pleasure: "People who live with wise hearts and who speak what is right."
No, not shrewd minds. Not necessarily talent, successful businesses nor large ministries. It may include talent and fruitful profits, but the bottom line is that He delights in people who are wise in heart and have the courage to speak what is right. This is godly "leadership sense." It is motivated by wisdom and results in right decisions. These decisions may not be fashionable or even politically correct, but in the long run, they will result in righteousness.
In Proverbs, God reveals what brings Him pleasure: "People who live with wise hearts and who speak what is right."
No, not shrewd minds. Not necessarily talent, successful businesses nor large ministries. It may include talent and fruitful profits, but the bottom line is that He delights in people who are wise in heart and have the courage to speak what is right. This is godly "leadership sense." It is motivated by wisdom and results in right decisions. These decisions may not be fashionable or even politically correct, but in the long run, they will result in righteousness.
Application
I have found that making wise decisions and speaking what is right will not win me any popularity contests. It may even be contested by those closest, but still I must take time to consider what is taking place, ponder it deeply, and make wise decisions that will be the best for all involved. What will it require?
Courage.
My daughter and I have been glued to the closing episodes of HEROES on dvd. As the time gets nearer and nearer for the fulfillment of the painted prophecy that New York will go up in flames, killing half the city, the episodes become more and more gripping. Claire, the sweet Odessa cheerleader who has the ability to heal herself has been torn away from her home. She finds herself now in the house of her biological father, a political figure who is careful to ensure that his public image does not ruin his political career. In one scene, he looks at Claire and says "I just want to tell you this: you are a brave girl and I admire your courage." Claire half smiles, not exactly knowing how to handle that complement from a man she thought never ever wanted her around.
Leadership courage is in short supply, but it is abundant toward those who refuse anything less than what is best. That is the prerequisite ... a deep desire to do what is best regardless of the emotional trauma the soul must endure in pressing forward, anticipating push-backs and possible rejections. But that is the mark of a great leader, one the world rejects in the beginning but one the world needs desperately in the end.
Courage.
My daughter and I have been glued to the closing episodes of HEROES on dvd. As the time gets nearer and nearer for the fulfillment of the painted prophecy that New York will go up in flames, killing half the city, the episodes become more and more gripping. Claire, the sweet Odessa cheerleader who has the ability to heal herself has been torn away from her home. She finds herself now in the house of her biological father, a political figure who is careful to ensure that his public image does not ruin his political career. In one scene, he looks at Claire and says "I just want to tell you this: you are a brave girl and I admire your courage." Claire half smiles, not exactly knowing how to handle that complement from a man she thought never ever wanted her around.
Leadership courage is in short supply, but it is abundant toward those who refuse anything less than what is best. That is the prerequisite ... a deep desire to do what is best regardless of the emotional trauma the soul must endure in pressing forward, anticipating push-backs and possible rejections. But that is the mark of a great leader, one the world rejects in the beginning but one the world needs desperately in the end.
Prayer
Father, leadership is loved when the oceans are calm, respected in the storms, and rejected in moments of accountability. No one likes leadership when it exposes our faults and calls us to change. But that is the litmus test of any leader. That is where it counts the most, in confrontation and disagreement. Here leadership is either found to be worthy or wanting. Please give me the courage to be wise, to be true to Your Word, to be committed to each person's best, and in return, feel Your pleasure and delight.
