The Committed Leader Does Not Fear The Dark Places

July 26th, 2008 by J.R. Miller Leave a reply »


“If those who prepare for leadership are looking for safe places, who will lead the church into the dangerous places”
Erwin McManus

What a crazy world full of fear we live in. Mail Online is reporting how one community is tearing down a kids slide, not because anything bad has ever happened, but out of fear something bad might happen.

For half a century youngsters have enjoyed the 10ft slide in the playground, with no more serious mishap than the occasional bruise or grazed knee.

Many of the parents bringing their children had themselves played on the towering steel structure years ago.

The tradition has, however, been brought to an abrupt halt by that modern scourge, health and safety….

Local Conservative councillor James Hutchings said: ‘It’s completely mad the way we are being run ragged by the health-and-safety mafia.

‘Children are not going to learn how to judge risks – or how to have fun – if challenging play equipment such as this is denied them.

‘If there hadn’t been an accident in 50 years then the chances are there’s not much wrong with this slide.’

How sad when a child is robbed of the thrill of play because some bureaucrat lives in fear of the unknown future.  Somewhere along the way, our political leaders have been convinced their job is to guarantee constituents a risk free life.  Maybe politicians are just the symptom of a larger culture that lives in fear of pain and is forever chasing the dream of a pain free utopia.  Unfortunately, too many of our spiritual leaders have been consumed by this same culture.  Even among the faithful,  we see suffering as a sign that God is absent and pleasure as proof that we are blessed. The DNA of leadership demands a change in course.

A committed leader of God’s people must recognize that our mission is not to remove all suffering or guarantee a pain free life.  For more than a decade, David led his mighty men on dangerous mission after dangerous mission–some men did not live.  The Apostle Paul and his team of church planters were imprisoned, tortured and shipwrecked to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ–some refused to go on.  
  • A leader must remain committed to the Gospel and, without fear,  go into the dark and shadowy places.  
  • A leader does not try and remove all risk of pain, but commits to help others experience hope in the midst of it.  
  • A committed leader allow others to risk everything for the sake of Jesus Christ.  
The pursuit of anything less will rob from people the thrill of faith and the opportunity to lean on YHWH alone for their salvation.
Psalms 23 YHWH is my Shepherd, I shall not diminish. He makes me repose in lush pastures; he leads me beside refreshing waters. He restores my whole being; He guides me along right paths for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they bring me comfort. You prepare a table before me in the full view of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and covenant-love will pursue me all the days of my life, and forever I will dwell in the house of YHWH. (original translation)

Go back to the DNA of Commitment
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Posted in Leadership, Politics, Spiritual Formation

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