Into the Crucible - 2 Paths Out

Have you had any crucible experiences as a leader? You know, those experiences when the challenges are so great, the fire is so hot, that your impurities are exposed as they bubble to the surface. It’s those times that can make or break us as leaders. Do we meet the challenge, adapt, problem solve, and lead through it? Do we allow the fire to expose impurities, weaknesses, and incompetencies so we can be refined as leaders? Leadership is a journey, and our crucible experiences – whether many or few – are the defining moments along the way.

I read a book called “Becoming Nehemiah – Leading with Significance” by David L. McKenna. And I’ve been reading and re-reading the book of Nehemiah as well. We can learn a lot from Nehemiah, and I’ve felt particularly drawn to his story given the challenges that we’ve faced this year ministering in South Africa.

Nehemiah was a great leader of his time. He’s been studied and recognized for his character, competence, and for accomplishing the mighty task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He was also an ordinary leader, almost handicapped in his qualifications being an exile Jew living in a pagan land without the title, cultural upbringing, or inherent authority of other typical leaders.

Nehemiah grew through his crucible experiences, and rose to each leadership challenge he faced. He also descended with each one as well. What I mean is that when we enter into the crucible there are actually 2 paths for us as Christian leaders. The first path is the leadership path of “upward mobility” where we rise in responsibility, visibility, and risk. The second path is the spiritual path of “downward mobility” where we press into God, empty ourselves, lean on Him, and allow Him to supply all our needs.

The 2 paths cannot be separated. If they are leadership leads to corruption, or spirituality leads to ineffectiveness. Taken together, they develop into the paradox of Christian leadership – a combined force of character and competence, of doing the right things and doing them well.

So the questions I’ve asked myself, (and invite you to reflect on for yourself) … How have my crucible experiences affected my leadership today? How has my character been tested? What competencies have been honed? And how does the Lord want to refine me and use me in the crucible once again?

Hmmm.