COVID, Criticism, Compassion, Counsel and Courage
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A good man does not ask what is the way in which he must walk, or in which is the most pleasant walking, but what is the right way, the way in which he should walk. – Matthew Henry
They never said it would be easy. Leadership is hard. It always has been and always will be. Leading schools in a pandemic may be one of the harder leadership challenges. This is especially so in acountry sharply divided into political tribes and saturated with an entitled, “me first” perspective.
As we entered another difficult school year, I want to offer words of encouragement and perhaps some useful perspective as you are faced with hard decisions and hard reactions.
You will face criticism
Leaders, if they are leading, will always face criticism and conflict. If you expect it, it is easier to handle.
I have recently been reading through the Bible and outlining the challenges and responses that leaders faced. I have found this insightful and strangely encouraging. Perhaps it is true that misery loves company! One of the most familiar examples is Moses. He faced fierce opposition from the very people he was so courageously leading to freedom.
Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? … They are almost ready to stone me.” (Exodus 17:2ff)
Moses faced significant opposition when the people encountered difficulty. In fact the passage indicates that the people were on the verge of violence against Moses. Apparently, it was so contentious that Moses even named the place with a Hebrew word meaning quarreling.
It is not uncommon for leaders to face fierce opposition even when striving to do the right thing. Also note, that the people were ultimately rebelling against God. We often see this when leaders strive to apply biblical principles but people make excuses and choose to ignore those principles. Sadly, in all too many instances Christians are allowing their politics to trump the clear commands of scripture, e.g., to obey and honor civil authorities. (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:17).
Leaders show compassion while criticized
It is hard to show compassion for those who criticize and attack us. But we are called to do just that. Jesus told us to pray for those who persecute us.
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43–6:1)
Moses often grew angry at Israel for their stubbornness and constant complaining but he did not allow the criticism to circumscribe his compassion. When the Lord was prepared to destroy Israel and bless Moses in their stead, Moses intervened and pled for them:
The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones …
And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”
But Moses said to the Lord, … And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’
Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.” Then the Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. (Numbers 14:7ff)
While it is tempting to hold our critics in low regard, to be angry at them and to be tempted to gossip about them, Christians are called to a higher standard. As leaders we must model that standard of compassion.
Leaders seek counsel
Wise leaders seek wise counsel.
Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22)
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. (Proverbs 11:14)
For by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. (Proverbs 24:6)
Wise leaders do not go it alone. They are humbled enough to seek the counsel of others.
Leaders must be courageous
We cannot lead without courage.
When faith and duty demand anything from us, we must close our eyes to all obstacles and go forward in our work, for all events are in God’s hands alone, and they will happen as he pleases. –Calvin
Dan Finerty has written that there are six traits of courageous leadership:
Courageous leadership requires vision.
Courageous leadership requires rule breaking.
Courageous leadership seeks out dissenters.
Courageous leadership is honest, but not cruel.
Courageous leadership is decisive in the most ambiguous situations.
Courageous leadership requires trust.
Leadership is hard but God has called you to and gifted you for it. You will face criticism. Face it with compassion, wise counsel, and great courage remembering Jesus’s words:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)