The intention of this devotion is that we explore the commands of the Bible so that we will know our responsibilities. How will we obey the Holy Spirit if we are not listening to His instructions? The Bible gives us those instructions, and they come very clearly to us in the form of commands.  I think that we should be very careful about saying we are “listening to the Holy Spirit” If we are not actually paying attention to what we know for sure He has said.  Studying the Bible is hard work, but speculating about the validity of our inner leanings is easy.  Christians all too often give themselves a pass on the study of the Bible, and yet God keeps on being faithful to share Himsef with us there.  If we won’t spend the time in the gold mine we won’t find the goods.

 I think we should watch closely how God says things to us. Yes, we need to focus on what He says, but we also need to be mindful of how he says it. The way the writer of Hebrews issues the command we are studying in Hebrews 12:1-3 provides us with a crucial model for Christian leadership. The Biblical leader invites others to participate with him in the mission, and they march to that objective together.

“Let us run with endurance the race set before us….” There is a kind of “leadership” that gets things done by relying on the “chain-of-command” and the authority vested in the office of the “leader.” That commander or manager tends to avoid identifying very much with those under him. Rather than saying “let’s get to work” his default approach is “you get to work.” Have you ever worked for the guy that says “Let’s get to work”? What about the other guy, “You get to work”? Most adults have experience with both kinds of leaders.

The “Get to Work” Manager

There is nothing wrong with division of labor. There is nothing wrong with a person having duly-constituted authority and issuing directives in the interest of the organization accomplishing its goals. That’s what effective leadership is all about: getting things done. In fact, not having effective leadership with necessary authority is wrong. “When in charge, take charge” may be a common maxim in the Army, but it is also Christian norm. We see it in the life and ministry of Jesus and His expectation of His disciples. Being anti-authority is being anti-Christian, and the legitimate exercise of authority does not amount to the abuse of authority. On the other hand, the legitimate possession of authority does not automatically certify a leader’s use of it, either.

Sometimes we lose track of the fact that we are fallen and broken. Workers and bosses both forget that they themselves have shortcomings, especially when they examine the performance of the other. Arrogance is that sneaking, silent assassin that attacks us all and convinces us that we are better, smarter, and wiser than we are, regardless of the facts. Think about the effects of arrogance on both the leader and the follower. In the case of the person in authority, arrogance leads him to think he deserves his position and its power to make decisions. He is better than his subordinates. On the other hand, arrogance in the person under authority inevitably means he will resent those over him for their perceived inferiority to his wise perspective. He is better than his superiors. What a rotten curse is human arrogance! Humility in both the superior and the subordinate says “I am a sinner saved by grace in need of God’s constant mercy and guidance, and so is the other guy.”

The “Get to work” guy very often has forgotten his days sweeping the motor pool or emptying the boss’s trashcan. He did not respond to mechanical, disconnected commands when he was under a “get to work” kind of leader all those years ago. And while the best subordinates will perform well regardless of the leadership style of the boss, they perform best for a leader who connects with them and helps them be a part of the mission rather than a slave at the bottom of the totem pole.

Christian leadership is equipping the “subordinate” to join you in an endeavor which you are leading him through. This is how Jesus did it, and it is how the writer of Hebrews is doing it in Hebrews 12:1-3.

The “Let’s Get to Work” Leader
I will never forget the difference between field grade officers who brought me into their work and those who assigned me some busy work in which they had no interest in participating. It would be hard to overstate the difference their disposition toward me meant in terms of my motivation and even performance. Not that the manager-dictator would get less than my best effort; I was just more capable somehow when I was following someone who brought me into his endeavor and empowered me to run alongside him.

When the boss says, “Let’s get this done together,” and really means it, there is a sense of teamwork that calls every member of the organization out to do his part in the effort. Every little task becomes part of the big picture of their mission. The Division Commander is probably not going to peel your bushel of potatoes, but if he is wise, he will always talk about what “we” are doing in the big picture while reminding everyone under him that their diligence in their personal sector is contributing to the overall team effort.

A note of caution is in order here, if you are thinking of adopting this approach into your leadership style (and I heartily recommend that you do). Don’t fake it. Lots of people may fall for a phony but the best peers and subordinates will see through a manipulator trying to use a teamwork approach to work people. Genuine humility and a personal interest in the success of your teammates has a way of driving people farther and harder than a dictator-manager’s whip ever could.

The Apostles and “Peer” Leadership

The New Testament apostles and prophets often wrote with this “let’s get to work” ethos. They counted themselves in just as much need of spiritual growth and perseverance as those they were leading. Certainly Paul was farther along than his audience, but even he said his message was something he took special care to apply to himself:

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

When you read Hebrews 12:1, notice how the writer is lined up in the starting blocks right next to you: “Let us run with endurance the race set before us….” That cheers us on somehow. He has to do it too, and he’s bringing us along. When we get to heaven, won’t it be interesting to ask this writer—whoever he is!—how his race went? I suspect he did well, and so should we.

When thinking about those who run alongside us, we need to keep in mind even more the One who ran before us.  “Looking away unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith….”  The ultimate Exemplar for our race is Jesus, Who did it better and cleaner under worse conditions and greater opposition than we will ever know. Hebrews 12:3 says, “For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Peer leaders can bring us a little encouragement; Jesus proofed the lane perfectly and paved a way for our perseverance.

My prayer for you continues to be that you will “wait upon the Lord” so that you may “run and not grow weary” and “walk and not faint. (Is 40:31)”

This entry is dedicated to the great leaders of 2BCT, 4ID from OIF-1 who taught me by their example to say, “Let’s get to work.” That was a team.