LOVE LEADS WITH HUMILITY

Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23

“Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And all their neighbors assisted by giving them articles of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They gave them many valuable gifts in addition to all the voluntary offerings.”

“Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.”

“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’ Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!”

“The Lord detests double standards.”

What’s this? The Lord of the Universe is riding into town on a donkey? A donkey?!? No earthly leader would so humiliate himself. Yet in spite of how He presented Himself, and the mocking of the religious leaders of the day, there were still those who understood the message. The Messiah had arrived! Perceptive ones recognized immediately that His Godly leadership did not depend on fanfare or pomp or circumstance. Real leadership begins with a security of the soul, a heart unafraid of the storms of popular opinion, and a strength that allows its bearer to appear vulnerable, especially if that is what it takes to become accessible.

As I consider my personal leadership style, I have to admit I tend to lean too heavily on my own talents and force of personality. When I become afraid those I would lead will choose another direction, that’s when I know I am in a bad place. Leadership is not about protecting people from themselves. It is about guiding them to discover their own abilities, to help them set their own godly example and lead in His direction. Leadership should never be more of a competition than it is an opportunity to serve, because when it becomes more about winning than facilitating, that’s almost always when it turns sour. Even leadership intended initially as humble service can soon transform into a bitter power struggle for control when it is not grounded upon a firm foundation of humility.

Let’s be clear, though, about what humility means, biblically speaking. It does not connote wimpiness or an inability to powerfully impact one’s world. It does not suggest one who has become a wallflower, retreating to the background of life. Quite the contrary, in fact. Scripturally, one who is humble is simply “teachable.” Such individuals are able to learn from their experiences and surroundings and are not intimidated by their need to do so. Humble people are those willing to immerse themselves in what I have come to think of as “dynamic education.” They take risks to experience new things and perspectives. They radically engage in life in order to learn from it. If they get hurt, they discover how to heal. When they persevere and overcome obstacles, they accept their victories without need for adulation or the approval of men. The essence of humility is just the ability to take in and share new learning without having to dictate it. Truly humble people are not downtrodden martyrs; they are attractive, eager and positive people. They are able to lead, not through a manufactured aura of authority or boastfulness, but through their willingness to share a genuine command of wisdom with those who need it without making them feel puny or deficient.

Jesus was a living example of how God directs His people to lead. As He rode into Jerusalem, Christ knew He would stir up an undercurrent of dissension that would eventually overwhelm even Him. Yet, He was unafraid of the mantle of responsibility, and accepted it unequivocally and without reservation. He also rejected any thought of using His position of authority as a shield setting Him apart from the people. Instead, He rode directly into their midst, vulnerable and accessible. He continued to teach, not through mass mailings or banners extolling His virtues, but with the quiet confidence of One who already held the answers to all of life’s hardest lessons. Naturally, people were drawn to His Light. No other has ever shown so brightly or honestly or accurately. Jesus’ wisdom works, but He is humble enough to let us figure out and accept that for ourselves. He stands at the door, knocks and waits, but He will not force the lock.

This Palm Sunday is our chance to rebuild our relationship with Christ, to set ourselves to once more listening to His voice and to humbly accepting what He would teach us. Like the ancient Hebrews, it is time for us to rebuild and make room for Him in our hearts. Like Paul, we need not fear looking foolish. We should relish the opportunity to be clowns for Christ, to humble ourselves for the glory of His Kingdom. But there’s one final thing to consider as well. If we choose the path of humility, there’s to be no reconsideration. It’s all or nothing. Because humility actually requires more endurance and persistence than one might think. We dare not be one of the ones who holler out “Alleluia” on Sunday only to give up and shout in resentment “Crucify Him!” on Thursday night. Going with the flow has nothing to do with humility. It is far better characterized as hypocrisy, and God has some rather definite feelings about that which are best left unexplored.