Apples of Gold

In my spare time the last few weeks I have been watching old episodes of Survivor. I find the different strategies and approaches of the contestants to be quite interesting. Some just try to get along with everyone and blend in, flying under the radar, just hoping they sneak past each vote. Others appoint themselves as the leader, whether the others like it or not. Usually those who select this path are among the first to be voted off. Just because they want to lead does not mean anyone wants to follow them. There is also another category of contestants: as the game advances they slowly emerge, naturally, and with the consent of others as the leader. They often form alliances with several people that will carry them to the final three and give them a good chance to walk away with the million dollars at the end. But there is a risk in allowing yourself to be considered the leader, the favor of the tribe ebbs and flows with each challenge. When your team is successful and content, the leader is popular, when times are tough, well, not so much. This can have little or nothing to actually do with anything the leader has actually done. Even incessant rain can spell disaster for the leader and that is certainly something completely beyond their control.

Interestingly enough, these roles can mirror our daily lives. Leadership is something that some people avoid like the Bubonic Plague, having to ascend the steps of a platform, microphone in hand, strikes terror in their hearts. Others plow everyone out of the way, ripping the mic from someone’s hand in order to be seen and heard. My guess is the third category embodies the largest number of leaders. Leadership was a natural progression as their gifting and abilities developed.

Regardless of the path that was travelled, without question, leaders have a target on them. James give us some interesting insight: 

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1

This judging can come from multiple sources. The first and most important by far is the expectation God has placed on those in leadership:

And the Lord replied, A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for awhile’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant in pieces and banish him with the unfaithful. And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished, But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:42-48

Hold on a minute, cut in pieces and banished? That sounds pretty extreme. From the outside, leadership can look shiny, and exciting. There are those who treat leaders as royalty-and unfortunately leaders who happily accept or even demand this treatment. A heavy responsibility comes along with the influence and impact that leadership can bring. 

Another source of judgment comes from people. This one can be more sinister: there are those watching with baited breath, hoping you will trip up so they can announce your failure to everyone. Others might be a bit star-struck and give too much weight to your thoughts and actions. Criticism should be expected, whether deserved or not. Remember how quickly the crowd went from cheering Jesus to shouting “Crucify him!”. The favor of those around you can pivot just as quickly-even when you are right in the center of the will of God. 

You might be reading this thinking “I’m glad I’m not a leader”. Well, not so fast. All of us should be, and most likely are, leading in some capacity. Parents are leading their children, teachers and coaches their students, we almost certainly impact our circle of friends and co-workers. Although you may not have chosen leadership; it has chosen you. 

The only letter of recommendation we need is your yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. 2 Corinthians 3:2

There are probably more people in your circle of influence watching your life, listening to your words, taking note of your responses to challenges and victories, than you realize. You, my friend, are a leader.

Thankfully the standard is not perfection. We are all going to mess up. Our failures do not disqualify us from leadership-they provide a perfect opportunity for us to model mature Christian behavior in the face of a belly-flop. Own it, apologize, alter your trajectory and move on as a better, stronger, and likely more respected version of you.