Learn to do good

When leaders lead well, others are lifted up. When leaders lead poorly, others are held down.

One difference between good and bad leaders is this: bad leaders lack conviction, courage and concern for others. They are more concerned about protecting their ground (like position, power, and prestige) than in helping others get to higher ground. Know of any leaders like that?

This is a not a political message but there was something said last night by John McCain that stayed with me. Near the close of his speech he said:

Feed a hungry child…Comfort the afflicted. Defend the rights of the oppressed. Our country will be the better, and you will be the happier, because nothing brings greater happiness in life than to serve a cause greater than yourself.

I see parallels from Isaiah 1:17

… Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans…

Humble leaders lead by example and personal sacrifice– they have conviction, courage and concern for others – getting others to higher ground. Prideful leaders are more interested in what keeps them in power on their ground. The Lord had a lot to say about prideful, Pharisaical leaders (Isaiah 1:15-17 from the Message Paraphrase)

Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings - meetings, meetings, meetings- I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces… Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Isaiah 1:15-17

Look at that short phrase “learn to do good” carefully. To learn something requires repetition, practice. You don’t just read about doing good – you do good. Good leaders and those that follow them have conviction, courage and concern for others. As a result, others are lifted up. Isaiah’s message is profoundly simple.

The children in Haiti are malnourished and starving to death. You can help. Volunteer just 2 hours of your time to pack Kids Against Hunger meals at the Haiti Pack-A-Thon on Sept 26-27. You can register at http://achildshopeintl.org/Haiti.html . If you have funds, spend them. Each Kids Against Hunger meal is produced for 25¢ and the 285,000 we have planned for Haiti will need funds.

Learn to do good. Makes sense to me.