Leadership Lessons from Proverbs

So, tonight my wife and I sat on our front porch (as is our nightly tradition) and did our own separate things. Not that we didn't speak, but sometimes its just good to be in each other's presence but still doin your own thing. She was reading the free Bonney Lake newspaper that comes around once a week, and I was smokin my pipe and reading Proverbs. Oh what lessons we can learn from the great book of Proverbs. Let's just look at Proverbs 25 for a moment (You'll notice just about every section has a thought on God and on human leadership):

Proverbs 25:2,3

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. As the heavens are high and the earth is deep, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. 

I take from this two things. One, God is mysterious. No doubt about it. We can't hope to know everything about Him. And I like that. Secondly, I take a leadership lesson. It is LONELY at the top (and I haven't experienced this yet at all). We can't hope to know what it's really like to be completely in charge of a "kingdom" (however large or small it may be) until we are in such a position. It's lonely, but also I believe God entrusts certain vision, knowledge, and foresight to those in important leadership positions. While we as the people on the sidelines can speculate and nitpick...let's not forget that the one in charge has the weight of the world on their shoulders and it ain't easy. They've got to see the big picture, and when you are looking at big picture, small picture stuff is often times overlooked.....this is a huge lesson in leadership that we must all learn.

Proverbs 25:6,7

"Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among great men; It is better for him to say to you, "Come up here," than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman."

Again, two things I take from this. First, who are we to say we belong in the mission of God or even the heart or love of God? It's a gift. First and foremost. Don't forget it. We were called by the King and told to "Come up here"...not because of anything good that we have done. God's love, that's it. Secondly, if you think you've got the stuff to be in leadership, don't boast about it or try to speak your own glory. Don't you trust in God? Don't you trust that if God has gifted you with something, that in the right due time He will use you to fullest extent that He created you to be used? Do you think God will waste potential in you? I think when we get too big for our britches (as my father often coins the phrase) we are really expressing distrust in God. We are saying "God, you're timetable and wisdom in this situation isn't working, and I need to intervene". Be patient. God will use you when He wants to.

Proverbs 25: 13,14

Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give.

First thing is the great thought of Jesus. The messenger sent to us and sent with a mission. He fulfilled it, and how thankful I am that He did....how much more thankful and pleased with Himself was God. Cool to think of the trinity in this context. Secondly, DELEGATION isn't easy. People can speculate all they want that Delegation is easy as pie, until they do it. But when you delegate a responsibility to someone, trusting that they will do it, and they come through and fulfill their promise....it's true refreshment. It gives leaders the confidence to know that there are other people out there that care just as much about the mission as they do. It makes this thing seem like more of a movement....it actually MAKES it a movement. Have you ever seen clouds and wind, but no rain? My yard needs rain right now (that's right....it hasn't rain in the Pac-Northwest in like a week) and tonight we had rain clouds....but no rain. It was disappointing. I kept asking the question "Why the heck are you here then? Just leave!". The same goes for leadership and delegation. When you don't follow through, what good are you?

Proverbs 25:15

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Ever felt frustrated that an idea of yours wasn't getting through to the people who call the shots? Be patient. If it's God ordained, trust me, it'll happen. The latter part of this verse makes me so happy. People who speak STRONG opinions with STRONG voices are often the WEAKEST and heard the LEAST! People who speak strong opinions with gentle voices are almost always heard. I love seeing this play out. Ever been around someone who is pretty reserved and doesn't talk a lot? Their voice is gentle and everything about them is humble. When they speak....we listen.

That's all for now. Go read Proverbs 25 yourself. I can't believe there is a chapter in the Bible that references all of the following: dross from silver, apples of gold, gentle tongue, honey, club, sword, sharp arrow, bad tooth, lame foot, vinegar, soda, burning coals, muddied spring, polluted well, etc. etc. Such imagery. Beautiful I say!

What speaks to you from these verse and/or the points made?