Lead, Follow, or ... Lead?

In the aftermath of Katrina and in the midst of relief efforts in Houston, there have been countless moments when leadership was required -- moments when somebody needed to step up because a need was made known, or when somebody needed to step in when a need was noticed. Needless to say, people have done just that.

But throughout all of this, I began to think about leadership and what is expected of us men -- especially in the context of the church and the Body of Christ. In an ideal situation, we would be approached about a leadership need, be given time to ask questions about the role and then have time to give it considerable prayer before making a decision. However, there are moments when we do not have such luxuries. There are moments when men simply must step up or step in and lead.

Perhaps it's a matter of urgency: the circumstances require leadership in the moment -- then and now. Perhaps it's a matter of vacancy: a leadership role is empty and the group needs a leader to guide them, maybe just until a permanent leader is found. Perhaps it's a matter of giftedness: the situation requires a man with your giftedness. Perhaps there are many other scenarios that would require men to lead even if it is inconvenient or not exactly what they want to do.

Questions
Do men have the luxury of not leading when it's a matter of urgency, vacancy, or giftedness? What goes through your mind or heart when you find yourself in such a situation, and stepping up or stepping in would be an inconvenience for you?

ROAM ... If We Want To?

The biblical roles of a man (ROAM) are:

1. Protector
2. Provider
3. Spiritual Teacher
4. Leader / Guide

With apologies to the B-52s, it seems too easy for us men to "ROAM ... if we want to" rather than embrace what God has called us to be. Some roles may be easier to fulfill than others for a variety of reasons, each unique to each one of us.

Rather than talking about where we tend to drop the ball, how about talk about where God has done a great work in us to enable us to live out the roles? (Besides, the last thing we need is for more criticism about how men do not step up to the plate ... so why heap it on ourselves?)

Question
How has God used you in one or more of these roles? Where is He using you now? Or, do you know what these roles even mean? If not ... ask!

Storms

I recently went to beautiful Cozumel, Mexico, on my annual “Escape From Extroversion” trip by myself. It’s a time when I can “get away from it all” and unwind with no cell phone, e-mail, or obligations of any kind. I love it.

This is also a time when I can read without having to cram in a book in 15 minute doses before falling asleep each night! Aside from a couple of John Grisham books, I also read Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson. The book tells the story of Isaac Cline, a meteorologist who lived in Galveston during the Great Storm of 1900 that killed over 6,000 people. This one event changed Galveston’s future. A city known at the time as the “Wall Street of The South” and destined to become the leading Gulf Coast city (move over, Houston!) was reduced to rubble and, as we now know, never lived up to what it was once expected to become.

In less than 24 hours, it all changed.

Perhaps you’ve had a moment like that in your life – a moment when circumstances beyond your control wiped out any hope of your expectations from becoming a reality. Those moments are painful, difficult to overcome, and often debilitating. You step back and take a look at the mess your life is in (or the mess your emotions are in) and you are paralyzed by what you see. How can I possibly move on from here? Where do I even begin? What should I expect from my life now?

I know many of you have faced those moments, and for some of you, those “moments” have been long in duration (months, years). Perhaps some of you are in such a “moment” right now. How great it is to know that we have a God who can and does get us through those moments – who gets us to the other side of the storm!

Galveston did not become what it – or others – expected it would be. But it did survive.

When it comes to expectations, we have to recognize that they are just that – expectations, and not promises. At one point, I expected to grow up and become President. At one point, I expected to get a bid to join a fraternity. At one point, I expected to be married and have a family at least by the time I was 30. At no point did I expect to be diagnosed with depression.

But those were all expectations that I created or others created for me. They were not God-given promises which stand the test of time. And when other such expectations are not met (and there will be more), I find comfort in the support and encouragement I receive from the Body. It’s my prayer that you, too, would come to experience the same thing as you face the storms that come your way. More importantly, that you would know beyond any doubt that the only expectations you can truly rely upon are the ones rooted in His Word. If He promises it, you can expect it to be so.

Question
What storms have you been through, and how have you come through them?