Leaders can get cocky. George Orwell explained the phenomenon well: “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Jonah had a lot of power. He heard God.
I remember as a child that I wanted to hear God so badly that I actually dreamt that it happened. In my dream, my mom and I were driving home, and God’s voice rang out with a deep sound that reminded me of our pastor. I was impressed.
I don’t remember what he said, but I remember the dream to this day.
Well, Jonah did better. He heard God and remembered what God said. And he relayed the message to the king of Israel. When the king of Israel was able to restore boundaries just like Jonah said he would, Jonah gained status.
He could add to his resume that he was a reliable prophet. He obviously thought he had the pipeline to God’s plans.
That’s pretty heady stuff.
Then Jonah heard God speak to him again.
But, like all of us, Jonah had biases. Jonah believed:
- God only worked in Israel for his chosen people.
- Jonah deserved the honor of being a prophet.
- Jonah knew God’s standard for evil better than God himself did.
- Ninevehites were enemies of Israel and therefore outside of God’s sphere.
- Nationalism trumped God’s mercy.
- The correct response to opposition is vengeance.
Jonah had it figured out, and he had no patience for God’s mercy.
We know that Jonah agreed to go to Nineveh and deliver God’s message. I’m surprised that he didn’t relish the job since, as far as he could tell, he was giving judgment.
I think Jonah had a sense that he was delivering a second chance. He didn’t approve, but he finally agreed to go.
How does this help us as leaders?
We can’t forget that we serve.
First, we serve God. Then we help his people.
God doesn’t limit himself to the projects that we prefer.
Leaders can have pet projects, but leadership isn’t limited to pet projects. Leaders need to think big. Leaders need to think worldwide as well as the community.
We should check our biases often.
We have them. Do they show God’s plans? The story about Nineveh teaches us that no one is outside God’s sphere.
Are we honest about God’s mercy?
Do we expect mercy for us in our circumstances but find it troublesome when extended to someone we don’t approve of?
Vengeance is never the right response
We may feel right about revenge, but leaders need to forgive and not retaliate. The correct answer to evil is not condemnation but compassion.
QUESTION: What biases have you met in your leadership journey? What can you do about one of them?
