Leadership, Humility & Brokenness: A Tale of Three Kings

Leadership.  We love it and we hate it.  The feelings that rise in our souls when we hear the word are usually the responses to our experiences - good or bad.  We cringe as we think of bad leaders who manipulated, berated, or abused us.  We smile as we remember the leaders who inspired us to be and do more than we ever thought possible.  Unfortunately, bad memories linger longer and deeper than the good ones, so for many people, leadership is a necessary evil.  We often take the phrase, "absolute power corrupts absolutely" and expand it to just, "power always corrupts."  But maybe not.

In "A Tale of Three Kings" pastor and author Gene Edwards shares the story of David, the shepherd-King of Israel, and shows his response to both Saul and to his son Absalom.  His theme is clear - David did not grasp for power, he did not fight to get power, nor to retain power.  He trusted that God is ultimately in control and gives and takes power away to whom, from whom, and whenever he wants it.

This is my second time to read this good book.  I recently lead a men's campout/retreat and this was the required prerequisite reading.  Needless to say, this got the guys talking because it touches on so many tender spots in the male psyche:  painful memories, desire for revenge/justice, our call to leadership, and our longing for significance.

The books talks a lot about the pain we endure at the hands of others (especially bad/abusive leaders).  The author suggests that while pain is not good, it is useful in that God uses our painful situations to break us down in order to be completely dependent on him.  He even goes so far as to say, "God did not have-but wanted to have-men and women who would live in pain.  God wanted a broken vessel."  While I think the second sentence is true - I am not sure that God wants us to live in pain.  It does seem like most of us are not broken and humble without some pain.

The books talks a lot about our desire for revenge when we have been wronged, attacked or abused.  The example described is Saul's habit of throwing spears at David.  The author reminds us that David could have pulled the spear out of the wall and thrown it right back at Saul - revenge - and that he would have been justified at doing so.  But- and here is a great insight - by doing so, he would have put himself in the "order" or way-of-doing-things of Saul.  This is a great reminder that while we can call it "justice," it is really more like revenge when we are seeking it on our own behalf. 

The books also deals with our desire for leadership.   We rightly desire to lead and to influence - but the author asks us if our prayers for influence come from truly good motives - and to examine our real motives for power and control.

This book is a great read for anyone who finds themselves in a position of leadership or authority.  For the one who has been called or somehow thrust into a position of leadership, this is important to read.  For the one who enjoys leading and influencing, this is a good reminder and opportunity to examine one's true motives.  For the person who resists the call to leadership, this book presents a positive vision for leadership that is centered on character not charisma. 

From a formal theological perspective, there are a couple of things to know going into the book.  As I read it, I kept thinking, "this author comes from the Baptist/Reformed tradition, but has strong pietist/revivalist tendencies!"  This combination of influences is not common.  I saw the Baptist/Reformed theological influence throughout the book as the author suggested that David didn't seek power or resist his son's rebellion because he just believed that God was Sovereignly pulling the strings. The pietist influence came through as he exalted weakness, suffering, praying more and doing less, etc.  They Wesleyan/Arminiam reader will merely have to say, "I can't agree with how far he pushes God's sovereignty," but will appreciate the pietist influence!  It would be foolish to dismiss the book because of a differing view on the extent of God's sovereignty! 

There are points at which the convergence of these 2 influences almost goes too far, but the reader must understand the narrow purpose of this book.  (Because of the author's strong statements, it can be easy to misunderstand his purpose).  The author is not suggesting that Christians should never resist or fight against evil!  He is not suggesting a passive spirituality that is all prayer and no action!  A short reading of the life of David easily refutes it.  The author is only attempting to speak to our desire for personal power and personal ambition!  And when this limited scope is kept in mind, we discover a message that we all need to hear!

The greatest take-away for me was the reminder to guard my heart.  I wonder if so many fallen religious leaders just became so busy, stressed, and overloaded with decisions and meetings, that they lost their way.  At one point, the author suggested that those who lead by way of "rules" and by reminding everyone around them about their authority, are not really leading.  Leading by way of rules and position is the easy way out, the cop-out.  But sometimes I just get too weary from meetings, making decisions, answering emails, and returning phone calls, and I default to the easy way out.  And I can imagine that years of that results in burnout and failure.  I am reminded to guard my heart, and regularly seek God, asking him to reveal to me my true motives, and to correct in me any impure motives.