Integrity in The Political Stew

As the whole world watches the US nominations, we are pulled between the desire to see someone who seems to know what they are doing and someone who truly believes what they say. It's unfortunate that we don't see an abundance of competence and character flowing through individuals. Interestingly, the reporters almost seemed surprised that people are voting not purely on the issues but on the "untangibles" such as "believability", "honesty" and, believe it or not, "character". People want a practitioner for sure, but they want one they can trust.

What a dilema political leadership finds itself in. Hard nosed politics says, "get it done no matter the cost", but now people are demanding deeper levels of integrity, of all things. In the past we could play integrity but now, with the media picking up every word and picking apart every life, that game isn't so easy. It's now up to the spin doctors to integritwist their candidates out of hot spots.

The issue of integrity though is fundamental to good leadership. For a leader to truly have willing followers they have to build trust. Trust is that one thing that when lost can be almost impossible to regain. Regardless of how competent someone is, that trust issue is what political leaders in a democratic society count on. It's what all leaders need. Can you be trusted?

In Jamaica, one of our young politicians Kern Spencer, is now being investigated for unlawful criminal conspiracy and corruption in the illicit award of contracts. Cuba sent 4 million energy-saving light bulbs to Jamaica and Mr. Spencer has awarded contracts in the amount of $276 million for the storage, transportation and distribution of the same. His "baby mother" and his child's grandmother were among those recieving benefits from the contract. The major contracts were given to companies that had no business track record whatsoever.

What's worse about this story is that you'd believe that this is one of our dinosaur politicians who missed the class on character. Instead, this happens to be the youngest person ever to be appointed to the senate at 28 years old. Apparently, what we thought was a dying breed is alive and well and still in diapers.

Integrity is still the most critical measuring stick for leaders today. Character still counts. Trust is the only thing that our leadership can be securely built on. People will excuse your incompetence if they trust you. But they'll forget your accomplishments if your character's flawed. Whether in politics or business or church, what people demand are leaders they can trust. Can you be trusted?

Servant Leadership

"For whose benefit do you lead?"
That was the question posed to me in my class last week by one of my classmates. We were looking at a case study and with that question she challenged me about my thoughts. It was the question that all of us should have caught from the very beginning of the week but its importance seemed to have eluded me until she asked me pointedly. Think about it: for whose benefit do I lead?

Jesus said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve..." (Mt. 20:25-28)

It's interesting how I can lead for the benefit of the vision or the benefit of influence or the future or even the benefit of God and forget that I need to lead for the benefit of people. Are they being blessed? Are they being empowered? Are they being included? Are they being challenged? It's all too commonplace to see people ministering for God as they harm the people they are supposed to serve. Harm could mean rejection, removing opportunities, keeping people dependent and so on. It means not helping people become all that Jesus want them to be.

For whose benefit do you lead? I need to lead for the benefit of those God has entrusted to me. That’s what servanthood is really about. If each minister thought in those terms, what would happen? No one would be fighting over position, ministry, power or stage because I am doing what I am doing purely for the benefit of those Jesus died for. For whose benefit do I lead? Or preach? Or sing? Or dance? Or usher? Or witness? Or serve? Is it for me? Or is it for them? That’s the question at the heart of every servant leader.

Lord, give me the heart of a servant. Help me give my life to serve those you gave your life to save. Let it begin with my family and grow to those who have so graciously chosen to entrust me with influence in their lives. I take this stewardship seriously Lord and I lean on You, the true Servant Leader.

Reflecting

Psalm 44:3 - For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their arm save them; bit it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because you favoured them.



I must admit I feel favoured right now. God's love, power and wisdom is so evident in my life. The temptation is to feel that its my own abilities but, let's be real: the sequence of events that led me to where I am right now is purely based on God's favour in my life. Every time I recount the testimony of how God took me to Canada the first time, or share the testimony of my salvation, or how the church started or... on and on I hear the miraculous hand of God coming through.



God help me not to take this for granted. Help me not to think it was my sword or strength or finances or wisdom or even my own faith. Even my own faith can become a source of self-exaltation. No, Lord



(v. 8) In God we boast all day long and praise Your name forever.



Help me to boast only in You