Teabag leaders?

I urge … that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

One of the greatest lessons I've learned as a leader is to read, read, and read more.  Leaders are readers.  I've tried to read lots of various things - books on leadership, ministry practices, teen culture and psychology, presidential biographies, etc.  I've even tried reading quotes from others, just to glean a little bit of wisdom.  Today, I came across this quote that has had me thinking all day...

 “Quarterbacks are like teabags. You don’t know what you’ve got till they’re in hot water.”

The quote is from Sam Rutigliano, who most people have never heard of.  In the late 70's/early 80
s, he was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.  He still is on local programs, and is witty and wise.  The quote didn't stick with me because he was the coach of my favorite football team - it stuck with me because I changed "quaterback" with "leader", and it still applied perfectly.

It's easy for people to call themselves a leader - because they're in charge at work, or for a project, or because people like them.  But leaders are more than that.  They have to make tough, sometimes even unpopular, decisions.  They have to think on their feet, even when their personal lives have them preoccupied.  Leaders are always under tremendous pressuer, even if the pressure is positive. 

But leaders can't be identified by the label they give themselves, but how they respond to leadership opportunities.  We can say we're leaders, but when the tough times happen, our response will verify our statement...or will negate it.  When the pressure rises, what's really in our hearts will come out 100% of the time.

I've not gotten things right all of the time.  My response to pressure, at times, hasn't been what others have needed.  I've caught myself making excuses, blaming others, blaming lack of sleep, always looking for something to take the blame off of myself.  A couple of years ago, in a pressure situation, my reaction caused more damage than needed.  It was then that, after a conversation with my pastor, that it became so clear to me that I don't have the luxury of responding that way.  But in the weeks to follow, I began to realize more than that.  I realized that my response wasn't the problem - it was my heart.  Since then, God's been using several ways to remind me that it's in the "down time" of leadership that I should be making every effort to make sure my relationship with Christ is healthy and active.  That if I can't take care of my own heart, how can I serve Him as a leader effectively?

This is an election year, and each person in America has an opinion of who would, or would not, be the best President for the country for the next four years.  Many will have valid reasons, and many will just be basing their stance on what the networks report.  But in the end, one man will be elected as our leader.  I'm not opposed to debates and points of view, but they shouldn't deter our Biblical mandate from 1 Timothy.

No matter who wins, we as Christ followers should resolve to praying for our leaders.  Pray for God's impact in their lives, pray for clarity in decision making, pray for their families as each man is a husband and father.  Pray that God annoints the man of His choosing.  Pray for God to show up in his life - not so one side wins over the other, but because we desperately want to see God return to His rightful place of glory in our country.

Selah