When you don’t get it quite right, be humble
Humility is a necessary component of leadership because sometimes, we just don’t get it quite right.
A few years ago, Jen was driving the kids to school for their ‘Spring it On’ field day and fundraiser. This was a day of fun activities and competitions, and it looked like a gorgeous day to be outside.
Our son Elijah was particularly excited because, as a seventh grader, it was the first year he could play soccer with the high school kids! This also meant he would be outside in the sun all day, so he needed to wear sunscreen.
The issue was that Elijah was allergic to certain sunscreens, so just any ole’ sunscreen wouldn’t do. On the drive to school the morning of the event, Jen swung by the grocery store and had our oldest daughter, Abby, run in to buy some zinc oxide. Her instructions were to get a generic brand and be quick so they could get to school on time.
Abby ran in and bought the zinc oxide, and Elijah dutifully spread it all over his ears, face, and neck.
Honestly, he looked like a mime… all day! But he was a good sport about it and didn’t get sunburnt!
A few months later, Jen was driving the family to the pool and told Elijah to put on the zinc oxide. He refused. They got into a back-and-forth contest of wills for a few minutes, but Elijah wouldn’t back down. He insisted it wasn’t sunscreen, but Jen didn’t believe him.
Finally, Jen said in exasperation, “Read the instructions on the tube!”
Elijah started reading… “This product helps create a barrier between the skin and wetness to prevent and treat diaper rash…”
Jen just about drove off the road she was laughing so hard. Poor kid! On his first day hanging out with the high schoolers at Spring It On, he wore diaper rash ointment on his face all day!!
While this is a funny story, it contains an important truth. Sometimes, in our leadership, whether due to rushing, lack of clarity, or other factors, we don’t get it quite right. This is why humility is a necessary component of life and leadership.
Nehemiah is a good example of someone who exhibited humble yet strong and courageous leadership.
When he learned that his country and fellow Israelites were “in great trouble and shame (because) the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire” (Nehemiah 1:3, ESV), his heart was broken. The Lord then gave him a vision to lead his people back to peace and stability.
But Nehemiah didn’t act right away. He knew that he could only lead under the guidance and provision of the favor of God. So, he took about four months to confess his and his people’s sins before God, pray for wisdom, and remind himself of God’s promises to His nation. Then, he prayed that God would “be attentive to the prayer… of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” (Neh. 1:11, ESV). This man was Artaxerxes, the king.
Nehemiah humbled himself before God because he was preparing to ask the most powerful man in his world at the time for permission to disobey a law that Artaxerxes himself had enacted. Years prior, Israel’s enemies complained to Artaxerxes that Israel rebuilding the Temple would lead to trouble and rebellion (see Ezra 4:7-23).
And now, Nehemiah was about to ask for the king’s blessing and even provision to go rebuild the walls of that same city! If there was ever a time for humility before God and another person, it was at that moment!
So, Nehemiah took his life in his hands and appeared sad in the king’s presence. When Artaxerxes asked what was wrong, Nehemiah “prayed to the God of heaven” (Neh. 2:4) and made his request known.
Without mentioning the offending city’s name or even the people about whom he spoke, he requested permission to go rebuild the walls and even to get trees from the king’s forest for the project. “And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me” (Nehemiah 2:7-8)—Nehemiah’s humility led to a successful outcome!
Dear Saints, do you regularly (even moment by moment) humble yourself before God and request his wisdom, favor, and provision for your leadership in whatever sphere of influence He has entrusted to you?
The Apostle Peter admonished us to “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5, ESV). This commandment to be humble is in the context of being a leader and “exercising oversight… not domineering… but being examples…” (1 Peter 5:3).
Nehemiah is a good model for all of us. Instead of charging on ahead, let’s lead others in humility as we seek God for wisdom and strength. And take a cue from Jen too… be able to laugh, learn, and move forward in faith!