Hope On The Rise

Which world leader do you think commands the most shelf space in the Library of Congress which houses some 51 million books? George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt, General George Patton? Actually it may surprise you to learn that this auspicious place holds more books about Jesus Christ than any other person. He is in fact the most riveting leader of all times.
This is convincing evidence to see him as a benchmark for effectiveness. In just 33 years he accomplished more that has lasted longer with greater impact and wider reach than any leader in history. The following words are are sometimes attributed to James Allen Francis.
He never wrote a book, he never held an office, he never went to college. He never traveled more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born yet the truth about Jesus cannot be refuted. All the armies that have ever been marshaled and all the navies that were ever built and all the parliaments that ever met have not affected the life of people on this planet as profoundly as has this One Solitary Life.
How did he do it?
First of all Jesus viewed himself as a Shepherd. He knew exactly what he was called to do. He said in John 10 the true shepherd focuses on the sheep. Their potential is the shepherd’s sole mission. The true shepherd stays with the mission rather than looking for ways to advance his career. To be an effective Christian leader one must function within the borders of his calling. The point is not to move up some status ladder. It is to fulfill what God has ordained for you to do. According to the Psalmist promotion comes from the Lord. Jesus said seek first his kingdom and all these other things will be given to you as well.
Can you envision a world in which every leader focuses on the well being of those they are responsible for? That should be the norm for anyone who is a Christian leader.
The extent to which we are devoted shepherds has a lot to do with our effectiveness. When we embrace what we do in life as a calling rather than a career it takes the claim of privilege out of the equation. Often it means seasons of sacrifice.
I don’t think it is sacrilegious to say that Jesus coming from heaven to earth was not a career move. He knew in advance it would not be easy but he came anyway. He was called.
He wanted to please the father.
My prayer is that the image of Jesus as the face of a shepherd will influence you to define success not by how many people you control and how much you earn but rather by how many people you serve and how much you give away.
And that’s Hope on the Rise for now!