Leadership

II Chronicles 20:12, “…We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (NIV).

Yesterday, I ran across a post on social media that talked about humble leadership.  The original post directed me to the scene from the LOTR trilogy, in which Frodo accepts the great responsibility of carrying the ring to Mordor.  He says, “I will take it… though, I do not know the way…”

The whole scene is quite captivating, and I’m not sure any part of it is as beautiful as the look on Gandalf’s face when Frodo accepts this challenge, this position of leadership, for which he is both entirely unprepared and unqualified, but to which he has also been called. 

Of course, this is also the point at which the Fellowship of the Ring is formed—the community that will surround Frodo on his journey, because one cannot hope to lead, alone.  The very nature of leadership, at its core, requires cooperation.

I often feel a little like Jehoshaphat, when he prays to God and trusts that God will hear and save his people, even though Jehoshaphat has no idea what he’s doing… 

I often feel a little like Frodo, when he takes the ring and trusts that he will be able to carry out his task, even though Frodo has no idea what’s he doing…

I think I’m just trying to confess that I have no idea what I’m doing…

But I’m looking to God, I’m looking at God… and God sees me, and I see God… so I guess I’m going to stumble along, hopefully just one step further forward than backward as I go.

Leadership is not sexy.  Leadership is not power.  Leadership begins and ends with servanthood.  At the end of any quest or any calling, it is often accompanied by layers upon layers of dirt and grime and blood and sweat and tears and scars.  And then we die.  But at least we lived…

 
L.