VULNERABILITY OF A LEADER: THE CROWN OF THORNS
Time flies. It was yesterday when we had to book two weeks in advance at the gym for a spinning class because in January the classes were filling quickly. Sadly, now it is no longer the case, things are getting to normality. Consistency or sticking it out is but one of many leadership attributes we discussed. It is applying very much so in leading one's self. As mentioned earlier in these devotionals, leadership starts with an individual leading her/himself. The challenges of leading one's self are the same as leading a group of people. The vulnerability affects both. One example of a leader who showed vulnerability is Jesus during the crucifixion. These two Scriptures below paint a clear picture for me.
Matthew 26: 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is very sad. My soul is so full of sorrow I am ready to die. You stay here and watch with Me.” AND Matthew 27: 38-40 They nailed two robbers to crosses beside Him. One was on His right side. The other was on His left side. Those who walked by shook their heads and laughed at Him. They said, "You are the One Who could destroy the house of God and build it up again in three days. Now save Yourself. If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."
Many people see vulnerability as weak. As a result, they hide their vulnerability/weaknesses. There is tremendous power in vulnerability. Though it feels safe to pretend to be immune in the messiness of life. Unfortunately, no one is immune in the mess of life, even Jesus was not. Rick Warren says, "when you share your strengths, you create competition, but when you share your weaknesses, you create community”. And that is the community of people who are aware of the fragility and messiness of life. The two robbers who were on the cross with Jesus, their words in Matthew 27 could have killed Jesus before His actual death. But, their words did not because Jesus, knew His limitations. Jesus knew that He needed others, not just any other, but His followers. To say to his followers, I need your help! help! me. It takes great strength of a great leader. The great leader is not in the business of "impressing" people, or wanting to be popular, but on the business of "influencing" people. It is very easy to impress people because that happens from the distance, but influencing people one needs to be close enough for people to see ALL, which means strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, the greatest strength of being a vulnerable leader is to be able to influence people. After all, is it not what leadership is about? Nonetheless, one cannot be close to anybody, if one is not close to her/himself. Seeing you as you are, and be okay with that, it takes a strong woman/man.
In light of the above Scriptures, everybody could see both Jesus's strengths and weaknesses. And yet, He continued to influence people. To be a leader is to have a crown of thorns and be prepared to lead one's self and others anyway.
