Psalm 94:2 God, put an end to evil; avenging God, show your colors! Judge of the earth, Take your stand; throw the book at the arrogant.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-11 What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Mark 8:18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?
Luke 10:21 At that, Jesus rejoiced, exuberant in the Holy Spirit. “I thank you, Father, Master of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the know-it-alls and showed them to these innocent newcomers. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way
Happy is the person to whom real truth is revealed (Psalm 94:12), not through fleeting signs and words, but as it truly is. Surely you must know that our opinions, perceptions, and feelings (latin: sensus) often deceive us, providing limited discernment. Leaving us with “having eyes, but unable to see (Mark 8:18). So, what's the use of a ton of talk about frivolous and obscure matters (Ecclesiastes 3:9-11) when our ignorance won't be held against us by God?
As a leader, we need to be careful not to entangle ourselves in matters that go in circles. Instead, we need to know and speak the truth, Godly truth. The person to whom the truth of God is familiar is liberated from mindless chatter. All truth emanates from God, and everything speaks of Him. In truth, God communicates with us. Without the full understanding of His truth, we cannot comprehend or judge properly.
The one who keeps Jesus, the Eternal Word in first place, who traces everything back to His truth, and sees all things springing from it, can rest easy in their beliefs and remain at peace.
O God, You who are the truth, make me one with You in love. As I look around I am often overcome by the many baffling things I see, hear, and read that seem to run counter to Your ways. But in You is everything that I long for. Please God, let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone, speak to me!
The more composed and simple-hearted a person becomes, the easier it is for them to grasp profound concepts, as they receive enlightenment from God (Luke 10:21). For a pure, simple, and unwavering spirit is not easily overwhelmed by the busyness of this world. Why? Because every one of their tasks are undertaken within His plan and for His glory. It's like being guided by a Master Strategic Plan. This kind of leader enjoys an inner peace, with no need to make the pursuit of selfish gain their main thing. Indeed, what causes more trouble and affliction for a person than the unbridled personal desires of self-centered ambition?
A virtuous leader organizes their thoughts based on the dictates of right reason, not succumbing to the whims of broken, hidden, and twisted hunches. After all, who faces a greater struggle: the one following a sandy shifting path of deceit or the one doggedly pursuing a rock-solid path of truth in their lives? Make no bones about it, our purpose should be to conquer our selfish desires, grow stronger each day, and advance in the firm ground of virtue.
Know this too: every seemingly ‘perfect’ thing in this life is tainted with some measure of imperfection, and every so-called light-giving knowledge has a shadow of some darkness. Consequently, a humble spirit about your own Godly self-awareness needs an honest paring with the fervent pursuit of facts, knowledge, or intellect. Like wine and cheese. They go together. It's not that learning on its own accord is inherently wrong. As a matter of fact, knowledge, ordained by God, is inherently good. However, a clear conscience and a virtuous life should always take precedence. Proof of this is the infectious joy that many of the innocent and devalued members of our society demonstrate.
Many people walk away from virtue and integrity in their attempt to achieve worldly success and as a consequence end up achieving little to nothing because they prioritize becoming learned over a life well-lived.
When in conversation with others at the coffee shop or lunch at work, you have a choice. Instead of complaining about others, spend a dedicated effort to uprooting vices in yourself. The world would have less evil and scandal, and religious organizations would not be as lax in their leadership if they focus on the good they can propel instead of on the evil of others. Surely, on Judgment Day, we won't be asked about our education or even our judgemental thoughts of others but rather about our deeds; not about how eloquently we spoke but about how graciously we lived (Matthew 25).
Consider: Where are all those who have achieved earthy notoriety for their intellect and fame?
Answer: Others have taken their places. I wonder if these replacements spend much time thinking of their predecessors? Likely not. But when they were living, those former leaders – the ‘best’ the world had – seemed significant. But now, they are seldom remembered. This ‘cancel culture’ we live in; it sure demonstrates how swiftly worldly glory fades! (Eccl. 2:11)
Many perish due to vain worldly knowledge and insufficient devotion to serving God. They become conceited because they choose their version of greatness over humility. But know that true greatness lies in having great charity. True greatness belongs to those who see themselves as insignificant and regard the highest earthly honour as nothing much at all. True wisdom comes from considering all earthly things as folly compared with one’s efforts to gain Christ. The person who does God's will and renounces their own is genuinely learned.
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An illustration:
For 30 years, The Book of Virtues has been read by families across the world as a way of teaching morality through stories, poems, historical speeches, and traditions. It is an anthology. Within the section on ‘Truth’ this poem by an unknown author entitled: ‘The Question’ appears:
Were the whole world as good as you – not an atom better –
Were it just as pure and true,
Just as strong in faith and works;
Just as free from crafty quirks;
All extortion, all deceit;
Schemes its neighbors to defeat;
Schemes its neighbors to defraud;
Schemes some culprit to applaud – Would this world be better?
If the whole world followed you – followed to the letter-
Would it be a nobler world,
All deceit and falsehood hurled
From it altogether;
Malice, selfishness, and lust,
Banished from beneath the crust,
Covering human hearts from view-
Tell me, if it followed you,
Would the world be better?
Lead well! Lead with other’s needs in mind.
Rev Dr Darren Roorda
