Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant
and whose princes feast in the morning.
Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth
and whose princes eat at a proper time–
for strength and not for drunkenness.*
Interesting comment. Could summarize it with, “As go the leaders, so go their children, and so affected are everybody else.”
And who isn’t a leader in some capacity? And a follower in another.
A leader has some privilege, that’s a given; but better is the one who remembers why he’s there. Take the term, prime minister. Doesn’t “to minister” mean “to serve”? Doesn’t prime minister mean prime servant?
I’m reading a book entitled, Madmen of History,** a devastating account of some of the world’s notorious despots, every one of whom left their country in shambles, and sometimes large swaths of the world. The book delves into the person’s upbringing and family history. None came from a healthy family. And none knew anything about servanthood.
The whole “noble birth” notion versus “servant born” is something we might want to take issue with. Aren’t there examples in history where the low born rise to a very high place and deserve praise for both their ability and deportment? Yes, and we love them because they’re exceptions.
But the servant in the quote above, though now in power, is continually compensating, always needing validation, abusing privilege, flaunting, and forever lording over.
We’ve seen this. We may have suffered under it. Or are.
On the other hand, the leader with an unassuming natural confidence comes with little need to prove himself . . . and his followers will have much to thank for it.
So, to reword the quote:
All sympathy to you, O citizen, employee, child, (or fill-in-blank) whose king, boss, parent, (or fill-in-blank) behaves in ways that are self-defeating and irresponsible to the point of your bewilderment and hampering your growth and freedom.
At least recognize it for what it is . . . and do be careful that your own approach to leadership does not carry on the same curse.
Are you a leader?
It’s a role most needed.
You’re already on top, so put yourself under.
Be a prime minister indeed.
______________________
* Ecclesiastes 10:16
** author, Donald D. Hook
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
10:26 am
Thanks for the timely reminder on today of all days.
11:05 am
I like your call to servanthood; called to be first among servants. Mars Hills defines the charism of Leadership as “… people who have a clear, significant vision from God and are able to communicate it publicly or privately in such a way that they influence others to pursue that vision.” Another entity “…empowers a Christian to be an agent of God’s purposes by sharing a compelling vision of a better future with others and by directing the overall efforts of a group as they work together to make the vision a reality.”
As I thought about your book reference and devastating leadership, I see there is a commonality of traits used for good and bad. So it is also a call for all of us as Christians to be aware of the ease with which charismatic leadership can get a group, a body, and a nation off track. Our personal call to discernment can never be abrogated.
11:17 am
Thank you Hyatt, so well put…..speaks directly to me
& my situation for many years!
Let us all hope we don’t continue what was put on us…..
& that we can realize it (even ask to be shown) if we are.
Blessings,
Barbara Mitchiner
11:38 am
Thanks for the reminder…. I truly want to be “Prime Minister”!
1:27 pm
Hyatt
Enjoyed the leadership message today. The world looks at leaders as the person (the President, CEO, the Pope…) who is enthroned at the top of the pyramid or organisational chart. Everyone else is at some level below and the concept is we serve our leader.
Jesus flipped the pyramid, (washed his disciples feet) and taught us how real servant leadership looks. He put himself at the bottom of the pyramid (Phil. 2, 5-7) and taught us what real leadership looks like. Jesus’s leadership model works, is built to last, even over 2000 years later while empires, countries and companies have collapsed and many no longer exist.
Thanks
Jim
2:58 pm
We all lead in some fashion, on some level. Jesus frees us in order that we might influence and bless others. If we embrace a God whose heart is pure and good towards us, who wants to impact us for good each day, each hour, then we will be moved to do the same towards those we’re with. Scripture states that the character of Christ is irresistable in this context. When “lifted up” He does lead and, like Roger alluded to above, draws or influences others to move towards Himself. That’s the great God we serve … Jesus, the Servant King.
7:16 pm
As another poster commented, this is timely “on today of all days.”
Today we remember one of our greatest modern leaders, Martin Luther King Jr., who said: “Everybody can be great… because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
9:45 pm
Wonderful quote, Allison. I want to be a soul generated by love (I already know that I’m bossy which doesn’t mean I’m a great leader…) Thanks. aunt sue
9:29 pm
Oh my goodness! This was so wise and such a powerful message! Such wonderful commentary by everyone else too! Thank you Hyatt!
4:35 pm
Very good as usually