Leading with Soul

I'm a reader. Didn't used to be, but I love it now. I'm reading a book right now that my father recommended I check out called Leading with Soul by Bolman and Deal. The idea behind it is that in order to be a good leader, you need to explore your own spirit and soul, and include those elements of your being intimately in every facet of your life, be it love, hobbies, and your work. A lot of people make the mistake of taking their work and sealing it off from the rest of their life. They can be open and free enough at home around friends and family, but when they show up for work it's all business. After all, it's inappropriate to talk about such things at work, right? WRONG! If you want to be a good leader, if you want your organization to succeed and grow, you need to include this. You and those who work for you must share yourselves, share stories, share legitimate caring. A lot of evangelicals refer to this as "being real." Show up to work ready to care, not just to yield power.

I'm not doing a very good job of describing it, but trust me, it's fantastic. It's basically a parable that follows the spiritual growth of Steve under the mentorship of Maria. As you follow the events and stories you learn from their example. Every now and then there will be an interlude where the authors delve deeper into the mysteries they writing about. It's not exactly the lightest reading, but it's quick reading, and it is definitely meaningful. There are a lot of great things to quote, but there was one that I just read that I think is particularly worth mentioning here. It's a excerpt that describes what Kierkegaard refers to as a "knight of faith."

This figure is the man who lives in faith, who has given over the meaning of his life to his creator, and who lives centered on the energies of his maker. He accepts whatever happens in this visible dimension without complaint, lives his life as a duty, faces his death without qualms. No pettiness is so petty that it threatens his meaning; no task is too frightening to be beyond his courage. He is fully in the world on its terms and wholly beyond the world in his trust of the invisible dimension. The knight of faith then represents what we call an ordeal of mental health, the continued openness of life out of the death throes of dread.

That is a powerful description of what I feel a Christian should be. I argue that a true follower of Christ is a Knight of Faith in Christ. If you call yourself a Christian, ask yourself, does this excerpt describe you? Probably not. That's a lot to live up to! I'm pretty sure it doesn't fit me. I'd like to think I have a pretty good faith, and I've had a lot of personal experiences and chances to learn and see that have helped me to grow closer to God then I ever dreamed possible, but still...I fear, I complain, and quite frankly death makes me uncomfortable (even though I'm confident I'll be spending eternity in Heaven). I often fall victim to pettiness, and I often find myself not trusting God...I mean, I trust Him, don't get me wrong...but then sometimes, I'll try to take over. "Sorry God...I gave this to you to take care of...but I don't especially like the way that's going for me...so I think I'll take the helm again if you don't mind." I'm not proud of the fact, but it's true. Is that true for you?

I'm not worried though. I may not be the ideal Knight of Faith...but I'm at least a Page Boy of Faith...maybe even a Squire of Faith if I might be so bold. That's what rocks about God...well, one of the many things that rocks about God (a lot of people also make the mistake of focusing only on the salvation of Christ and base their walk with Christ on that, when there's so so much more to our Savior...salvation is just the first baby step...but the love, the friendship, the warmth, the sweetness, in other words, the Spirit, the "Walk with Christ"...that's where it's really at for me, that's what it's really about...salvation was just part of the love Christ has for us, not the only facet of Christ as many people make the mistake of thinking). Anywho, I went off on a tangent again...and I forget where I was going. Um..um...oh yeah. That's one of the things that's awesome about our God. Perfection never was a requirement. I think truly Christ is the only Knight of Faith, the only man who has achieved such faith and trust...granted...He's God, so maybe He cheated...but the fact remains. The greats of our faith, the saints, many of the popes, the apostles, the martyrs...those approach being a Knight of Faith...definitely Squires. The rest of us...those who are trying, who are reading, learning, growing in our faith, we're the page boys. All are essential for the jousts to go forward.

I suppose a better question is this. Are you trying to be a Knight of Faith? Are you at least on the road to becoming a Knight of Faith? Are you doing your best? Then you can safely call yourself a follower of Christ. God never asked that we be perfect. He only asks that we try. Not on the path? On the wrong path? Want to be on the path to becoming a knight? I highly encourage it. It's well worth the effort. Talk to your friends. I'd like to think that you know at least one Christian to talk to. If you don't, fare enough. Find a church. I know you can find a church. Talk to anyone in that church. I assure you that they'll be more than willing to talk to you. If they're not willing, well, God save their soul, because they are in spiritual trouble.

So that's kind of rambling and twisting and turning...but that's the best I can do with the topic...tis how my brain follows ideas. But yeah, Leading with Soul. Read it. It's good.

~AndyJams~