"The Courage to BE"

Be careful in your critique of leadership lest you become a hypocrite. How often have you commented on the errors of the leader, the flaws in the direction of the system, or how different you would be as that leader!

Beware you have been indoctrinated much more than you realize!!!

This is the danger – one day if you're not intentional, disciplined, accountable, introspective, and receptive to feedback – you will become that same leader you despised – you will lead that system in the same manner you previously held with contempt. 

It's easy to say what you would do differently but it takes courage to actually "do differently". People and Systems, rail against change – finding comfort in their current status whether it is positive or negative. We witness this adulterous relationship with the status quo in our government, many of our churches, businesses, schools and families. 

It's commonplace to sit on the sidelines hurling judgments of "what I would do" but once the opportunity is seized, listen to and watch yourself – are you acting on what you said needed to happen or have you accepted what is happening? 

Ask any parent, have you ever cringed when you heard yourself

sounding/acting like the who/what you despised about your own parents?

Any hope for Change happens when we: accept correction, act courageously, seek feedback, acknowledge our flaws and tendency toward the status quo, embrace counter intuitive tendencies – the recognition that one only knows what they know, and create alliances with unlikely partners which will broadens one’s worldview and understanding.

Every parent that cringes when they sound/act like what they hated about their parents – has the opportunity to be and become the parent they swore they would be. 

Jesus warns against leadership that lacks self-examination, saying commitment to change must move beyond words even cautioning leaders of their destiny when they lack the courage to be (Matthew 15:3-14):

Jesus replied: “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted,

so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person

guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”(Matthew 15:13-14)

Once we hold the reins of leadership, our decisions matter – the opportunity to change, accept or redirect the landscape and topography of institutions rests with us.

The question for all leaders and aspiring leaders: 

Do you/I/we have the Courage to Be?

INSPIRED BY LOVE,

Pastor Marcus

pastorsingleton@gmail.com