Read 1 Corinthians 4:7 Read 2 Corinthians 12:9
A major theme in this first week is the notion that true, biblical leadership is centered on the premise that God is faithful even when we are not; that God is strong when we are weak. Certainly, this is a central idea of Scripture, so it stands to reason that it would be central to any attempt to lead from a Christ-centered perspective.
But this is easier said than done. The main message of Scripture is that God is righteous and we are not; and instead of obeying the Lord we seek our own power. Once we come to terms with this main idea, we realize that because of our inherent pride we simply do not like admitting weakness or inadequacies.
This is troubling for many reasons. But as it pertains to being effective leaders, it is especially problematic because if we are not willing to admit our inherit weaknesses we will not be able to overcome those weaknesses, especially our major weakness: pride. Pride keeps leaders from listening to others, from admitting the reality that even personal strengths have weaknesses attached to them, and that seeking glory and recognition are subtle and ever present temptations. Even more so, Christ commands us to serve. To carry this out as a leader is to directly confront pride in every attitude, motivation, and action. Unless we admit our weakness and need for the resurrection power of Christ, we cannot overcome pride.
On the other hand, when we do admit our weaknesses, we can accept the tender love of God in Christ, and can operate in the spirit of freedom and grace available to us when we finally and fully rest in Christ. This is the place that Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 12:9: he has chosen to let God have all the glory and to let Him have his perfect way, rather than try to keep any of the glory for Himself, and fail utterly in doing so.
Paul’s place of brokenness and surrender is only logical. First, which of our strengths did we really give to ourselves? None; everything is a gift from God (1 Cor. 4:7). Second, why try to fight our weaknesses through our own strength? After all, the very presence of weakness is evidence that our strengths are not sufficient.
However, though these points are logical, they are not very palatable to us who are perfectionists. We just don’t like being told that we are weak and that no matter how hard we try, we will fail at some point. We like to believe in the myth that perseverance and hard work will give us the victory. But when we get to that point of brokenness, we allow God to work in us and through us. He then begins to gently and patiently free us from the bondage of pride—the same pride that won’t let us admit when we are wrong, or that we need the Lord’s help to overcome sin. In every situation, we try to do things in our own strength until we come to a point of failure; meanwhile, in every situation, God shows us that we cannot do anything in our own strength, and that we must come to Him through Christ in order to find true freedom and power.
This is the beginning of successful, Christ-centered leadership: admitting that we are weak, but God is strong.
Consider these questions as you prepare to engage in the devotional.
- Why is it so easy to study Scripture in a way that leads to knowledge about facts, ideas, and doctrine, as opposed to studying in a manner that leads to a deeper understanding of how God loves us and is pursuing us through Jesus Christ?
- To what extent do you feel that pride and self-sufficiency keep you from pursuing a closer walk with the Lord?
- How often do you view your life, your profession, and the situations you find yourself in on a daily basis as a means by which God is working on your heart and drawing you closer to Him? What happens in your heart when you look at your life through that perspective as opposed to when you don’t
Comments are closed