Who is a Leader?

People have been trying to define leadership for as long as there's been more than one person on earth.  Who's the boss?  We don't want to be told what to do.  We do want to be told what to do.  We want to know how to get where we're going.  We want to pass the buck.  Humanity has a love-hate relationship with leaders.

Definitions of leadership abound.  Plato was writing about it in 380 B.C.  My sister calls it bossy (though I prefer the term "gift of administration").  So who is a leader?

I love reading about leadership...always hoping to save myself from having to learn a few lessons the hard way...but it also can leave me feeling overwhelmed, so aware of what I am not.  Then I remember my own personal baseline definition of leadership:  I am one who has seen, tasted, heard...and I'm so full of the wonder of it that I'm compelled to beckon, "Come!  Taste!  See!"

"Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did!"

"Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness...taste and see that the Lord is good."

"Come and see what our God has done, what awesome miracles he performs for people!"

"He has given me a new song to sing...many will see what He has done...they will put their trust in the Lord."

That's the starting point of leadership:  you've seen, tasted, and heard and cannot be silent about it!   You don't have to be someone who has it all figured out, just someone who is willing to take the first step and beckon for others to come along. Definitely study, learn, find a mentor...just don't wait til you feel you've arrived.

You may not have an office with a fancy title on the door--or have an office at all--but if you've tasted, seen or heard and cannot contain the Good News, you're a leader.

Then the angel spoke to the women.

"Don't be afraid!" he said.

"I know you're looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  

He isn't here!  He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen...

And now, go quickly and tell...

Matthew 28:5-6

John 4:29; Psalm 34:3, 8;  66:5; 40:3

Now go...

Time for me to be bold and say it out loud:

This blog is shifting to a focus on lessons being learned in leadership.  Not expert advice.  Ruminations.

I knew when I was inspired with the title of this blog that the wild obedience would be about more than homeschooling.  I've been having a lot of thoughts about leadership that I think I need to share...  But it's risky.  Wild obedience for sure!

Is there anything more risky than saying, "I'm a leader?"

It's like making yourself a target.

It invites scrutiny.

It raises the question, "Who do you think you are???"  From within and without.

None of that is particularly inviting to me!

It's obvious to me why some people are leaders--they're so talented, creative, full of ideas, super intelligent, global thinkers.  Ah, comparison, you are my enemy!

In general I don't feel that Moses and I are kindred spirits, but I empathize with him in his beginnings.  He was no suma cum laude graduate of the University of Super Spiritual Leaders, but he was called.

God sets a bush on fire that doesn't burn up.  God speaks audibly.

Moses protests, "Who am I to lead the people...?"

God speaks again.  Moses protests.  Again.

God turns Moses' staff into a snake and back.  God makes Moses' hand leprous and then healthy.  Signs and wonders yet Moses protests.  Again.  And again.  Moses explains how unqualified he is and suggests someone else.

Ha!  I get it, Moses.  I too can think of others way more qualified!

Finally God says, "Now go!  I will be with you..."

Who can resist?

Unqualified, knees knocking, irresistibly drawn by the promise of His presence...

Then the Lord asked Moses, "Who makes a person's mouth?

Who decides whether people speak or do not speak,

hear or do not hear, see or do not see?

Is it not I, the Lord?

Now go!  I will be with you as you speak,

and I will instruct you what to say."

Exodus 4:11

Blind Curve Ahead

This poor neglected blog deserves an update...

When I began homeschooling I thought it might be one of my greatest stretches into wild obedience, but it turns out that releasing my kids back into the education system was just as big a stretch.

I started off homeschooling with the thought that I was making a two-year commitment.  Once I got into it, I understood that homeschooling wasn't just an educational decision, but a lifestyle.  And I liked it.  Yet there were signs that it was a gift for a season and that season might be coming to an end.

I sought the wisdom of the Voice I know so well, but it was so hard to hear.  A lot of emotions clamoured.  Not the least of which was fear.  Human wisdom wasn't such a helpful resource as die-hard homeschoolers will tell you one thing and non-homeschoolers can't believe there's actually a question! I'm so thankful I have a praying friends who know about the God who doesn't fit in a box.

Space opened up in a charter school, a school that was the only option I'd seriously consider.  That seemed like a green light in a certain direction, but....but, but, but, but!  What if?  Sigh.

Mercifully, I had a couple months to decide.

Every time I opened my Bible I would come across a verse that said words to this effect:  I will lead you...I will guide you...I will instruct you...  Every.  Single.  Time.  Apparently, it's a theme.

Ultimately, with only a tenuous thread of surety I registered the kids for school.  It was only after the step of wild obedience that the confidence came.  Strange how certainty didn't come until after the leap of faith.

We want to have faith, but we dislike the unknown.  Yet one requires the other!

We find in the Hebrews 11 catalog of faith heroes a theme of the unknown.  Faith involves not seeing.  Yet believing.  And this...this fragile, timid stepping out into the unknown with a determination to keep eyes fixed on God...pleases the God of the universe.  "For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust."  He knows how short-sighted we are!  When we step out in faith, following His call, trusting that He sees a much bigger picture than we do...we bring joy and delight to the Father's heart.

And I need to remember that every morning when I put them on the bus...  I believe He takes that trust as a gift and a treasure.

A small, tremulous step into the unknown bring joy to a great big God?  Absolutely.

For that is what God is like

He is our God forever and ever,

and He will guide us until we die.

And it is impossible to please God without faith...

Psalm 48:14; Hebrews 11:6

P.S.  Wild obedience continues...and so will this blog!  :-)