Leadership Characteristics of the Past Needed for Present Challenges

Recently PBS aired the series “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History” which chronicled the lives of three significant political influencers of the early 20th century, Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Response to Ken Burns' series was impressive. For PBS it was their largest viewing audience for the past several decades following the popular series "The Civil War" and "Lewis & Clark." According to the Nielsen rating each two-hour segment had an average of 9.2 million viewers and an impressive 11.7 million on the first night. Why such a popular series? I wonder if at least a portion of the success was related to a longing for a time where America’s national leaders reflected a different character and spirit than what is portrayed by current leadership. Joseph Palermo concludes that placing the Roosevelts beside the current political scene reveals, “The utter failure of our current ‘leaders’ is glaring by comparison.”
     The Roosevelt dynasty was by no means perfect. They made plenty of mistakes, failed in numerous endeavors, and had many detractors. Yet, many people in our current population long for leadership like the Roosevelts, one that is not ruled by political handlers and correctness, and bereft of courage to assume personal responsibility for decisions and actions taken. Courageous, compassionate, collaborative, and well-conceived decisions seem to be something we perceive in leadership of the misty past, not something we observe in the chaotic present. Many in our country perceive there is a leadership paralysis that is causing the nation to flounder in its responses to the worldwide challenges that seem to surface daily. Could the popularity to the Roosevelt series reflect a desire for a new norm in our political leadership that would be more reflective of a distant past rather than the disastrous responses of the current status quo? 
     One of the Roosevelts that impressed me was Theodore. He was a complex character wrapped in a cloak of both macho activism and pensive spiritual reflection. He was the man who would lead a military charge involving hand to hand combat and in the next moment send men into military action challenging them with a spiritual insight. This was illustrated in 1917, as American troops prepared to leave for the battlefields of France and Belgium in the First World War. Former President Theodore Roosevelt was asked by the New York Bible Society to write a message that would be inscribed in the pocket New Testaments that each of the soldiers would be given. He called his comments the “Micah Mandate” based upon Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” 
     He concluded his inscription with these words, “Remember: the most perfect machinery of government will not keep us as a nation from destruction if there is not within us a soul. No abounding of material prosperity shall avail us if our spiritual senses atrophy. The foes of our own household will surely prevail against us unless there be in our people an inner life which finds its outward expression in a morality like unto that preached by the seers and prophets of God when the grandeur that was Greece and the glory that was Rome still lay in the future.” George Grant concluded Theodore Roosevelt’s words, “called for a three-fold demonstration of moral and practical balance: a stringent commitment to justice, a tangible concern for mercy, and a reverent humility before the Almighty.” 
     Some might argue that our current political environment and cultural perspectives would not allow for such statements. As an objection they would raise the politically correct interpretation of the “establishment of religion” clause of the Constitution to prohibit any such biblical language. Perhaps, however, what the people of our nation want is a leader like a Theodore Roosevelt, whose courageous character is concerned more that there is a soul in our nation than that the words he speaks are cloaked in political correctness. Political leadership in our day seems to carefully wordsmith speeches and statements to make them politically correct and in the process make them devoid of moral impact. 
     We have just elected political leaders for a term of service. Let’s now pray for them as commanded in Scripture (see 1 Timothy 2:1-2). There are numerous things for which we might pray like wisdom, integrity, humility, a heart for justice, etc. Perhaps we could also pray that they might be like former President Theodore Roosevelt and have a concern for the soul of the nation. Pray we have a nation of leaders filled with courage, compassion, and conviction. Such leaders are needed for the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Seasons of Life

This is “fair season.” I usually make the rounds of the local fairs ostensibly to look at the varied displays of livestock, agricultural related items, homemade crafts, various culinary entries, and art works. I also like to see people I have not seen for a while. Fairs strike me as having something like a reunion atmosphere to them. My wife believes my attendance at fairs is really connected to the various food stands. She suggests I eat my way through the fairs. I confess I usually skip dinner on the day we visit the fair, unless I decide to eat something healthy to offset the unhealthy choices I make. There is something about the smell of fried food wafting in the fall breezes that completely nullifies my dietary common sense. I am waiting for some creative genius to deep-fry an Oreo stuffed Twinkie and serve it in a bowl smothered with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry. My cholesterol count just went up as that picture formed in my mind!

            Fair time always reminds me that the season will soon be changing. In my opinion, the best weather for a fair is a sunny day, but not too warm so that you are comfortable wearing a light jacket. I have one light jacket with over-sized pockets that I like to wear to the fairs. The pockets are especially handy for collecting the free giveaways from the display tables. I get enough pens and note pads at the fair to carry me over to the next year’s fair season. The candy at the tables never gets to the pockets. Either my grandchildren kidnap the confectioneries I pick up, or the sweet treats act as an appetizer until I get away from the display tables and over to the “fair-food” stands!

            The cool ting of the air at the fair is for me a pleasant harbinger of things to come. I prefer the cold of winter over the heat of summer. My body’s thermostat is the exact opposite of my wife’s. Therefore, soon we will be having a tug-of-war over the thermostat governing our home’s heating system. She looks at 68 degrees as a starting point when heating the house. I consider 68 degrees the setting for the furnace to shut down providing the perfect temperature to sit around in a tee-shirt and shorts. She needs a quilt to generate heat in the house. I have my own padding that I carry with me all the time and it is somehow connected to the consumption of “fair food!”

            The Bible talks about the seasons. One reference to seasons deals with temperature and the changes of seed-time and harvest (Genesis 8:22).  Scripture also address other seasons through which our lives pass (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). In the 1960’s the rock group the Byrds released the song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The lyrics were almost verbatim from this passage in Ecclesiastes. In fact, the author Peter Seeger donated 45% of his royalties to a humanitarian cause realizing he only contributed 6 words and the music to the biblical words! The song became an international hit in 1965 as it captured the way the 60’s generation viewed life – a cyclical unending process.

            Since life passes through many seasons, it would be wise for us to ask, "What is the God-given purpose in this season of life?" Too often we live unevaluated lives. We just sort of meander from one day to the next without answering the essential questions of life: Where did I come from? Why am I here? And where am I going?  Seasons will come and they will go. The issue to reflect upon is, “Why am I here right now? What is my purpose?”  The Bible speaks to this issue. Life is to be lived with meaning which ultimately glorifies God. If life is not lived from that divine perspective we might conclude like Solomon, who wrote the words of Ecclesiastes, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping after wind” (1:14). He concluded if all we have to gauge life by is what happens on earth i.e. “under the sun” – then life’s seasons don’t have much purpose. However, seeing life from “above the sun” – i.e. God’s perspective – gives meaning to life’s seasons here on earth “under the sun.”

            Some people feel that their goal in life is simply to make a point, share their perspective and have people buy into their opinion and agenda. Andy Stanley presents another alternate and says we are here not to make a point but to make a difference. I would add to his insight, “a positive difference." All attitudes and actions make some kind of difference – some more impactful than others.  We want to do more than make a difference. After all, Adolph Hitler made a difference – a destructive one. The difference he made was related to hatred, egomania, oppression, and a host of other influences. To make a positive difference we need to be under a positive influence. I would suggest we only make a positive difference when we come under the positive influence of Our Creator.  His influence enables us to fulfill God's purposes for us and His plan for our lives. This purpose and plan for our life is revealed in the Bible.

            On one occasion Jesus was asked by a religious leader, “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?” We might say he wanted to know what Jesus thought was the most important thing to focus on in the seasons of life. Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-39). Here Jesus connects one’s life to relating properly to God above and people below. When we are in right relationship to God and are seeking to please and honor Him, it will enable us to be able to fulfill God’s plan and purposes on earth as we relate to others. This combination allows a person to make a positive difference. Such attitudes and actions are good in every season of life.

            It is still fair season. Let me see… which fair do we attend next week? So many fairs, so little time!   

Life in a State of Change

I lived in a suburb of Philadelphia in the 1950s. In those early years of elementary school, the neighborhood boys spent most of their days playing cowboys and indians. We knew nothing about political correctness so we used the term “indian,” pointed toy guns and rifles at one another saying, “Bang!” and wore masks to depict ourselves as outlaws. Our parents were not abusive because they allowed us to run around outside unsupervised from mid-morning until supper time. They were following the cultural norm of that day. Frankly, they were just glad to see us getting fresh air, playing with other kids, and most importantly, getting out from under their feet. Generally we carried an old Army canteen filled with water in a WW II army surplus backpack. The canvas pack contained among other treasures a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to be eaten sometime in the afternoon around an imaginary campfire. Frequently we traded portions of our lunch with someone else who seemed to have something more appealing – maybe a ham and cheese sandwich or a chocolate brownie. The question of food allergies was never raised in the trades, just the fairness of the trade. Oddly enough, we went through those days reasonably healthy, and mostly emotionally well-adjusted – although those who know me may question that last description!

     Later elementary years were spent in pick-up sports that matched the seasons. The guys in the neighborhood would rush home from school and change into clothes that our mothers had defined as “old clothes.” We then sat on our front porch, clutching the appropriate seasonal sporting gear even if it was just a taped-up baseball bat, unraveling baseball, underinflated football, or a scuffed-smooth basketball. Guys would walk by and yell, “You wanna’ play?” Magically a team of players materialized as we headed to a vacant lot, a less traveled street, a distant school playground, or a neighbor’s driveway that had a backboard and hoop attached to a garage. No adult supervision was there to explain the rules, officiate the game, settle disputes, or make sure we were being fair. We stood in a line, two guys picked team members, and everyone played. Character building took place when you were the last guy picked!  I never saw a face mask in a baseball game, a helmet in a football game, or a team shirt in a basketball game. The games were not measured in innings or time. They ended when we were called to supper. In later years organized league programs became dominant in our neighborhood and it seemed that fewer guys played together informally. Was it because we got older or were there other factors? Certainly things changed.
     Nostalgia has a selective memory. We recall pleasantries we chose and conveniently forget what was less enjoyable. Looking back often simply catalogs change and does not explain the causes nor interpret their impact. Sometime the reason for the change is so obscure we are hesitant to single out one factor as the agent of change realizing it may only be a minute ingredient in the entire process. I suppose one could say, “Change is often easier to see than it is to define or manage.” Perhaps that is why so many are either annoyed or threatened by change. Change confronts the status quo, and offers unfamiliar alternatives which some individuals evaluate as good and others perceive as harmful. The common denominator is that something is different and we react to the alteration.
     In today’s world we are facing a rate of change that is unsettling for many individuals. We feel we are in a state of chaos as we adjust to one change only to discover what we have just processed has already changed. According to Dr. David Schilling, until 1900 human knowledge doubled approximately every century. By the end of World War II knowledge doubled every 25 years. It is surmised that now human knowledge is doubling every 13 months. Should our aim be to keep pace with the knowledge explosion or develop wisdom that enables us to process knowledge as it expands? It seems to me that developing wisdom is the best way to process rapid change. Where does that wisdom begin? The Bible suggests that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). By way of analogy perhaps we could say that God needs to be both our software and the processor of all the knowledge that streams our way. When we refuse to allow Him to fulfill that role in our lives we may simply be smart people who make dumb decisions.
     King Solomon, who was described as the wisest of all of his peers, was a discerning observer of life. He knew he would face changes as he ruled a kingdom. He was wise enough to seek divine wisdom to help him process all this change (1 Kings 3:5-9; 4:29-31). Unfortunately, toward the end of his life, he ignored the wisdom of God and chose instead to live his life by his changing passions (1 Kings 11:4-6). Many have concluded he wrote Ecclesiastes at the end of his life when his wisdom and knowledge had become vanity (1:16-18).  He ends the book by challenging youth to learn from his mistakes and, “Remember their Creator in the days of their youth,” and to “Fear God and keep his commandments” (12:1, 13). These admonitions are the key to making adjustments as we process the changes of life. In all of life’s changes we should rely upon the One who says, "For I am the LORD, I do not change (Malachi 3:6 ).
     Our childhood experiences are not the only things that change! Life is a series of changes interrupted with an occasional crisis! That is what it is like to live life in a state of change.                

We Don't Know What a Day Brings Forth

I recently returned from speaking at a teen camp at Little Mahoning Bible Conference near Punxsutawney, PA. Last Tuesday had been a typical summer camp day marked by thick humidity, hot temperatures, and a low cloud cover that seemed to compress the sticky mess into an oppressive shroud. The slightest effort seemed to generate beads of perspiration that could only be assuaged by a cannonball into a cold camp pool. Unfortunately, several times that day the pool was quickly closed as thunderstorms rolled through the area and forced children to seek shelter in surrounding buildings. Even comfort derived from a brisk pool was short lived for safety’s sake.
            In the evening I was speaking on a Bible passage in James 4:13-15 where James writes “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” I stressed that since time is not certain it is wiser to allow God to set our agenda. The study generated some good discussion about life’s uncertainty and brevity. I got the impression that the truth I shared appeared rather abstract to a group of teens focused upon fun and most likely inoculated with a sense of immortality.
            Meanwhile on that same day at another camp about 200 miles to the southeast in Carroll County, MD, the truth became a somber reality. At the same time I was speaking about the brevity and uncertainty of life, a fast-moving storm with heavy winds toppled about 20 trees at River Valley Ranch. This resulted in the injury of eight campers, two seriously, and the death of one 12-year-old boy tragically struck by debris from one of the trees. The children had been meeting in an open-air pavilion for Bible study and a song time when the sky suddenly turned dark. As the children were being rushed along a wooded path to a safe shelter about 150 yards away, the storm descended rapidly, violently, and tragically. In a matter of seconds, life’s plans were altered, innocence of childhood was shattered, and the reality of what life was really like confronted 114 teens at that camp. They saw the brevity and frailty of life, not theoretically, but as a horrific reality. 
            Life is often like this. We have the tendency to put life on autopilot until suddenly and unexpectedly, something barges into our life to shake our status quo. In these unsettling times we are forced to look at life through different lenses, process realities from alternative perspectives, and admit securities we had previously assumed were naïve at best and delusional as worst. At these pivotal points in time, we can either learn a timely lesson or continue to embrace figments of our imagination which assumes life continues on as it always has.
            Those who continue to embrace life as unchanging, embrace the philosophy of uniformitarianism. This view of life promotes a teaching that the universe is governed by rigid unalterable and unexceptional constraints. In fact Peter addresses this mindset in 2 Peter 3:4 writing that some people say, “All things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” He challenges this thinking by saying, “They willfully forget” (verse 5). Then he points to historical events that radically shredded the status quo in the past and were presently being purposefully ignored. Why do people refuse to acknowledge the obvious? Usually it is because the obvious is too unsettling to things as we would like them to be. When events take place like those at the camp in Maryland, the luxury of denial is vanishes. The life of a twelve year old boy and his family has been altered. The inconvenient truth, “We do not know what a day brings forth,” has been validated.
            However, there are other realities that can enter our uncertain world. The truth that, “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3) also alters life – even in lives whose status quo has been shattered. The pain of living in a fallen world does not have to be seen as unalterable. God can and does make a difference even in the bleakest and most inexplicable times. He can enter what we see as pervasive gloom with His love and peace planting hope in the ashes of a person’s despair. We need to see the other side of life’s uncertainties – hope. Paul says to people who had experienced the death of their loved ones, “We do not sorrow as other that have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Even to that which seems most unalterable, death, God’s Word interjects the solace of hope anchored in the resurrection firmly attached to Christ’s. 
            While it is true that “we do not know what a day brings forth,” we do not have to live in a state of paranoiac paralysis. We face this reality with the other truths the Bible provides that plants hope in the soil of uncertainty. This propels us to live confidently to God’s glory. It is reported that Evangelist John Wesley was asked what he would do if he knew he would die tomorrow. He replied, “Why just as I intend to spend it now. I would preach this evening at Gloucester, and again at five tomorrow morning; after that I would ride to Tewkesbury, preach in the afternoon, and meet the societies in the evening. I would then go to Rev. Martin’s house, who expects to entertain me, talk and pray with the family as usual, retire to my room at 10 o’clock, commend myself to my heavenly Father, lie down to rest, and wake up in Glory.” Even uncertainty can be faced confidently and productively when it is connected to hope.