Issue #26, March 3, 2010
A friend of mine sat in my office and said something I’ll never forget. He leaned forward in his chair and said with intense feeling, “Don’t follow a leader without a limp.” For months I have been reflecting on the implications of his powerful statement.
The analogy of leading with a limp comes from the life of Jacob who spent a night wrestling with God (Genesis 32). God touched him on his hip and from that point on Jacob walked with a limp, a visible sign of a spiritual encounter with God that transformed his life and changed his name to Israel.
My friend’s statement indicated that it is dangerous to follow a leader who has not had such an encounter with God. He recognized that leaders without a limp can do a lot of damage to those they lead. As servant leaders, what are the marks that show we are leaders with a limp?
Leaders with a limp acknowledge their deep need of God.
Before Jacob wrestled with God he found ways to do everything on his own. He had little need of God’s daily guidance in his life. But after meeting God his agenda changed. He recognized in a new way that God’s plans were bigger than his schemes. He recognized that his own strength was not enough for the challenges ahead. He desperately wanted to know God and begged to hear God’s name. Leaders are usually seen as strong self-sufficient persons who are lifted high in the eyes of others. But leaders with a limp recognize their own humanity and admit their deep need for God. They are able to acknowledge that they also need a team of others around them to help carry out the vision.
Leaders with a limp live their lives on God’s agenda.
Jacob, prior to wrestling with God, was a self-sufficient leader filled with his own schemes and plans to achieve his own purposes. He was in charge of his own agenda. But the night with God changed all that as Jacob recognized that God’s purposes for him were bigger than he had imagined. He recognized that his life was a gift from God and God’s plan was far greater than the flocks of sheep Jacob had obtained. Leaders who lead with a limp have surrendered their own ambitions and dreams to the role God has for them. They have surrendered selfish ambitions to live for God’s purposes. They recognize that the influence God has given them in their business, church, family and community is a gift for which they will be held accountable.
Leaders with a limp seek the approval of God, not the applause of men.
As Jacob wrestled, he insisted that God would bless him before the night was over. He desperately sought God’s blessing on his life. His heart had turned from the applause of self and others to the affirmation of God. Every leader will struggle with the desire for affirmation and we all are human enough to enjoy praise from others. But servant leaders lead seeking only God’s approval.
Leaders with a limp extend grace to others.
After Jacob walked with a limp he showed greater compassion to others. As he met his brother Esau, he took the lead and allowed others to follow in a safer and easier position. Leaders who have not wrestled with God look down on weaknesses in others and treat those who make mistakes as failures. Their arrogance often comes out in harsh words that tear others down. But servant leaders who walk with a limp are able to show grace to others on the journey.
Wherever you are in your leadership journey, take a few minutes to reflect on Jacob’s story and ask God to make you a leader with a limp!
For further reflection and discussion:
- Have I had a time of ‘wrestling’ with God that transformed my life? What is the result?
- In the past six weeks, in what way have I showed my own need for God?
- How do I treat ‘weak’ people in my organization (business or church)?
- Is there any evidence in my leadership that I lead to fulfill God’s agenda, not my own? Would others agree?
- When faced with a difficult decision that will not please the people I lead, how do I decide what to do? What does this indicate about my motives?