Leadership.

Leadership is difficult.  A leader must inspire confidence—and that can’t be taught. A second challenge is constant conflict; many hate conflict. 

But the hardest part of leadership may be knowing what needs to be done.  This is where black-and-white thinking will let you down.  A leader must develop a nimble and flexible mind, able to ADAPT to unexpected circumstances and unforeseen dilemmas.

(For example: How should we respond to a pandemic?)

King David had an open mind. When God sent a famine, He told David it was because of Saul’s sin against the Gibeonites. David went to the Gibeonites and asked what he could do to atone for that sin. They said “Give us seven of Saul’s descendants that we can hang in Saul’s place.” David did so. Rizpah, one of Saul’s concubines camped out by the bodies to shoo away birds and wild animals. For weeks, she guarded the bodies as they hung there decaying, an emetic vision of oozing gore, twisting and dripping in the breeze.  When David heard what Rizpah had done, he honored her by having the bodies removed and buried in Saul’s tomb.  Then God sent rain and ended the famine.

Whose side was David on? First, he let foreigners hang seven Hebrews to atone for Saul’s sin. Then he honored Saul’s family when he buried the men in Saul’s tomb. 

The truth is, politician David pleased the Gibeonites, then found a way to please Saul’s family.  Most importantly, he pleased the Lord and God ended the famine.  2 Samuel 21:1-14.

THAT may be the key to godly leadership: the ability to take bold, public action even when it appears to contradict your previous action, because you are willing to consider different sides of the issues.  Leadership requires a nimble, flexible mind—an open mind.

“He opened their minds, so they might understand the scriptures” Luke 24:44.

“I pray that your minds may be opened to see His Light” Ephesians 1:18.

God, give us DEEP ROOTS in your word. And give us the courage to have an open mind when we face hard questions.

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