Reflections from an older male community leader listening to the Sermon on the Mount.
. . . It had been a long walk to this hillside to hear this radical young rabbi. I didn’t want to go, but everyone told me I had to hear him. There were more people than the population of our whole village sitting on the side of the hill. We waited. Then we saw him. He was unassuming, but commanding at the same time.
Read More humility, Sermon on the Mount, leadershipHow can someone who works so hard at his scholarship, studying the Word of God, become a blind guide? I don’t know about you, but that’s a terrifying thought for someone in leadership. Recall the stern admonition from James 3:1 that teachers will be judged more strictly. Jesus adds in Luke 11:52, “You teachers of the Law of Moses are really in for trouble! You carry the keys to the door of knowledge about God. But you never go in, and you keep others from going in.”
Read More learner, humility, leadership, blindness
When Moses ran from Egypt forty years earlier he had married into Jethro’s clan, a nomadic shepherding family in the land of Midian. Now, when more than six months had passed since Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt and the sheer managerial logistics were becoming unbearable, Moses received news that his father in law, Jethro, was coming for a visit.
Jethro was a High Priest of a religious sect that, like Abraham, worshiped the one true God.
Read More leadership, delegation
Much of the Book of Proverbs contains wise words from the perspective of an experienced king. He saw those who were dishonest trip over their own dishonesty and come to ruin. He saw those who told lies get caught in the web of their own deceit. Their words were disregarded in public.
In this passage we read more of the same.
Read More integrity, influence, wisdom, leadershipLeadership is never an easy task. Indeed dealing with people, whether co-workers or family members, is often a challenge. It is no surprise that Moses would seek the assurance of God’s presence. The responsibility of leadership can be lonely. After a long day, we seek the soothing touch of God like a child longs for his parent, who reminds him that he is on the right path and assures him that he is not alone.
Read More leadership, God’s presence, yearningSometimes I don’t understand Jesus. Here he has been healing people, blessing people, astonishing people—his ministry is growing. To borrow a phrase from Malcolm Gladwell, Jesus has reached his “tipping point.” It seems a strange time to go to the lake.
It is surprising. Just when things really start to get going Jesus goes on retreat.
Read More authority, leadership, confidence
I’m grateful to be able to turn to the pages of Scripture and let my heart be taught how to be ethical in a world that has lost its moral compass.
Every day we are formed to some degree by what enters our heart. Even if we are spectators rather than participants, the things we see and hear do affect us and can gradually change the way we make our own choices.
Read More leadership, choices, responsesWe called it “The Lincoln speech”. It happened on the last day of the US History class. This talk was so popular that some took the course just to hear it. In most years the white-haired professor got a standing ovation. But then he retired and it was gone. The times had changed. But now once again last lectures are popular, as The Last Lecture viewer numbers prove.
In Deuteronomy we have the collected speeches Moses made to Israel.
Read More challenge, leadershipDo you remember the first opportunity you had to vote? Voting is a privilege and a responsibility that comes with being a citizen of Canada. For as long as I can remember, governments have been maligned for their decisions. Ultimately, we desire what is best for ourselves and when the government does not give it to us, we can become upset or even unruly.
As a king, Solomon wanted to be a good leader.
Read More wisdom, leadership, citizenship, politicsHave you ever known someone like Deborah, who seemingly had no office or credentials but everyone went to her for her godly wisdom? She sat under a palm tree, which, like other trees in Israel before the time of the tabernacle, was associated with revelation from God. When she spoke, it was with the authority of God. Given that women did not usually have leadership positions in that society, both Deborah and Jael must have been very strong women.
Read More leadership, maturity, consistency