True Inner Peace for a Leader
Ah, it is finally here, Christmas morning! Without question this is my favorite day of the year. I am up early as usual, with a warm cup of coffee and am awaiting the pouring in of the troops as they wake from their slumber and scamper down and behold the gifts that have once again magically appeared under our Christmas tree this morning. All my children are here under my roof once again, with my son and daughter in law and my two granddaughters surprising us with their early arrival yesterday. I could not be more pleased and at peace.
This feeling of peace is all too rare and fleeting in the world in which we live. From global tensions and terrorism plots unfolding to unrest on our university campuses across our country and problems in the streets of our cities, trouble seems to be on every hand. With the internet and social media feeds, the smallest and slightest offences are made headlines and create more unrest of their own. Businesses face fierce competition from without and can struggle with problems from within. Families are not immune, with social and cultural pressures mounting and assaulting their very foundations on a regular basis. It is no wonder we get weary as we navigate these troubled waters in search of the inner peace we so desparetly desire. This is why today is such a wonderful day…
At our church service yesterday a familiar verse from the scriptures was read and it struck me anew. It was a verse from the Prophet Isiah predicting the first Christmas morning. Look are his words again, found in Chapter 9: 6-7.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
The words that he would ultimately reign “with justice and righteousness” jumped out at me. I again realized that this is what I so deeply crave. Amidst all of our troubles, we see them against a backdrop of a deep and natural desire for justice and righteousness. Our nation was created so that we could be a people that would be able to govern ourselves, “with justice and righteousness”.
Let that be our leadership lesson for today. Today we will celebrate the birth of this savior, Emmanuel, Christ the Lord. Until he comes again, and concludes the mission that was started in a stable in Bethlehem so many years ago, we are to lead, “with justice and righteousness”. As leaders we must not take advantage of the positions of power we might find ourselves in, but instead serve those we are called to lead. We must treat all of those we impact with the respect and dignity due any and all people, man, woman and child. Let us lead with the spirit of Christmas in our soul, and let us well superintend this world until the final day when it, at last, is done with the perfection of God himself.
Merry Christmas my friends. May God richly bless you.
Stay Strong,
Terry