Look at him. Study his moves. See anything unique about his leadership? Patient, you say? Loving?
I think there is a reason for Jesus' spectacular leadership; he walked with those on the bottom rung of life. He didn't attend seminars about them. He didn't give lip-service to them. He supped with them. Jesus traded places with them.
America is suffering because her leaders can't find the key to effective leadership. We hear very well about the need to sacrifice. The new conferences are abundant regarding gaining support from both parties for more stability. But one thing seems to be lacking from all political schemes; there are no leaders like Jesus.
And what should those leaders do?
Look at Jesus. He crossed the tracks from heaven's supra-throne to earth's lowest bassinette. What might work for America to begin a rally back is to see the suit-n-tie leaders making a shift from what we perceive as extravagant living to more humble means. The Washington Image does not align with its Vocal Concern about our land.
Jesus is the example. He became poor that God's nation might become rich. And what did those rich do? Became poor in turn for others to become rich.
This hope is not relegated to Washington only. It fits preachers and elders and Bible students of every brand. An exciting thing the church is experiencing is the more we labor and identify with the poor, the more we seem to notice God's presence.
Jesus was a prominent leader because he operated from basement headquarters. We will do well to ponder such leadership tactics. Maybe then we will notice we have actual followers.
3 comments:
We have devious people telling us that Jesus would favor tax cuts for the wealthy, while robbing the Social Security fund. Give to the wealthy by robbing the poor, they say. There is no trust fund for Social Security--it all went into the general treasury. Spent and never repaid.
In 2004, when we passed the most serious of the Bush tax cuts, we put this country in a position where it was no longer paying the bills. Revenues couldn't match these items alone:
(*) social security
(*) medicare/medicaid
(*) defense
(*) interest on the national debt
(*) government pensions
Nevermind any discretionary spending--we weren't paying the bills any more. And we gave most of the tax cuts to the wealthy, who didn't ask for them, and who didn't need them. Instead of returning the money robbed by Congress from Social Security, we chose to give it away to the rich.
All these tax cuts for the wealthy DIDN'T PRODUCE ONE JOB. But they did fuel and feed an investment frenzy of dollars that had nowhere to go but create artificial bubbles all over our economy, including the crazy speculation in housing and in the stock market.
Now the robbers cry "foul." Why? So that we can return what was robbed from Social Security? No. So that they can keep what they've robbed. This, of course, pleases God, according to them.
Social Security theft is just another way that James 5 applies in doling out warnings of punishment to rich oppressors who withhold wages, and rob the working.
James 5 - Warning to Rich Oppressors
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
Good post. It's very important to create an environment in which all kinds of people are welcome around us. Caring about them is the first step.
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