By Gary Carter
Great leaders are forged in the crucibles of crises. Democratically selected King Saul found himself in a crises situation. He had been given instructions by the prophet Samuel but circumstances caused him to choose to put his trust in his own thoughts and feelings. This one decision at a point of pressure permanently altered his destiny. Leaders should never make long term decisions to address short term problems.
In the book of acts when the pressure was on in the city, everyone left except for the Apostles. Crises creates the heat and pressure that defines the leadership level of individuals or the lack thereof. Title or task oriented people will disappear when the circumstances put a spotlight on their limited abilities or potentially challenge their public image. Others who are self serving leaders seek to hide behind increased levels of authority.
The authority they carry is taken not given. It gets disguised and presented as due process for the protection or betterment of the people but is used as a means to remain in power. The narratives they create aren’t meant to inspire or bring comfort to the hearers. The language used has imbedded warnings that restates authority and dictates conformity to the masses.
Leaders should never make long term decisions to address short term problems.
True leaders rise in the crucibles of crises. They position themselves in the centre of the situation at hand, gather accurate information, seek wise council, develop a systemic strategy to go forward and remain very visible as they lead the way towards a better future.
The qualities that surface in crises define a leader. Their values are revealed, their integrity is tested, self preservation agendas are exposed, and the level of leadership ability becomes evident.
Leading by authority is different than leading through authority. During the war years many rose to become internationally respected hero’s who used the authority they had been given to lead, protect, unite and mobilize the masses towards a common enemy. The inspirational qualities of these men and women were forged in the crucibles of crises they faced in their time.
History is a harsh judge. The threshold is high to be remembered as an effective leader. Jesus had undeniable ultimate authority but it was the way He used it that made Him a culture shaping icon of history. He never led by force or dictated authority. He led through it, not from it!
In the sea of potential world crises we are still only knee deep standing relatively close to the shores of certainty. As the economic, political and freedom pressures mount we will find ourselves in deeper waters of adversity. In that environment self preserving leaders must use force to maintain their agendas. But in the crucibles of crises the heat and pressure will forge another generation of true history shaping leaders who will rise to defend the rights and freedoms of those they serve.
Only history will have enough perspective to judge the actions of the culture shapers of our day. Some will be admired for their contributions, others will be remembered for their self preservation, and some will be forgotten altogether. But we can be assured that history will repeat itself and the potential pressures yet to be revealed will be the crucibles of crises where true leaders will be forged!