Friday, March 18, 2011

Courageous Leadership

Scripture Passage that caught my attention today: Joshua 1:16-18 They answered Joshua: “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses! 18 Whoever rebels against your orders and disobeys your words, whatever you command, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

Observation: Earlier in this chapter, no less than a couple of times, the Lord told Joshua to be “strong and courageous.” Interestingly, now we have the people saying the same thing to Joshua.

Application: Among the many desirable traits of leaders, courage ranks right up there. Yes, it’s important to be able to organize and to have vision and to know yourself well and to be disciplined and demonstrate a host of other traits as well. Yet it’s in the midst of difficult times that leadership skill (or the lack thereof) is most clearly seen. And it’s in those times that courage rises to the surface as one of the greatest needs.

A number of popular slogans come to mind:
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself”
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going”
“Tough times never last, but tough people do”

or my own personal favorite spoken by Jesus himself when he realized his crucifixion was near,

“Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.” (John 12:27)

What I like most about this quote from Jesus is its total authenticity. First, there is acknowledgment that this is not easy (‘my soul is troubled’). Then there is the realization that, tough as it’s going to be, this is what he’s been preparing for all along! Everything in his earthly life has been in preparation for this moment.

But it’s not rocket science. Back in the days of Joshua even the common people, the vast majority of whom couldn’t even read or write, knew what they needed in a leader. “Be strong and courageous” they said. It’s an imperative for leaders that still rings true today.

Prayer: Lord, grant courage wherever and whenever it is most needed, both in others and in myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Joshua 1-2, Psalm 37, and 1 Corinthians 3)

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