The Cost of Leadership
Leadership is about sacrifice. Many people want the perks of being a leader without the responsibility of being of such position. As we read in Scripture, the prophet Hosea learned from a first-hand experience of what it meant to lead out of sacrifice and the price that it would cost him.
The Call.
Especially relevant is God’s calling of Hosea to be a liaison between Himself and His people as a prophet. Within that calling, God commanded Hosea to take a bride. However, this bride would lead to a difficult and costly lifestyle that could only demonstrate God’s unfailing love. His reckless pursuit to rescue, redeem and restore His people. Hosea was to marry a prostitute named Gomer, all the while knowing that she would pursue other lovers over and over again.
Love by decision and not out of reaction.
Nevertheless, the hurt and pain he endured, the deception he tolerated, the explanations he gave to his children of why their mother would do these things, and the public humiliation must have been dreadful. He had assuredness that God equipped him with the strength and confidence that “transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Hosea moved from having confidence in his own accomplishments to a God-grounded confidence. This new revelation helped him realize that God is much larger, more loving and even bigger than the circumstance he is experiencing during this season of his life.
Leadership is not what you think.
Many people think the higher up the ranks you are in an organization, the more freedom with their lifestyle and less accountability there will be. From God’s perspective; however, leadership means the opposite. Hosea could not have been closer to God in his position, relaying God’s message to the people. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul explains to us that when we become leaders, we must make ourselves servants to others and relinquish our preferences for the sake of the gospel (19-23). Servant leaders make an intentional decision to serve-first.
Walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk.
Leading people has just as much to do with actions and lifestyle as it does with words and theory. We see that there can be no separation between the way we conduct ourselves and communicate our message. Hosea had to live a life that was consistent to what God called Him to.
Hollow leadership and inconsistent behaviors lead to replace the integrity that leaders should possess, to hypocrisy and distrust. The way we talk and the way we walk should follow the same line. When we bear the title “leader,” selfishness has to flee from our lifestyle. When making decisions we must be others-focused.
Lessons to be learned from Hosea’s leadership.
- Through Hosea’s example, we see that leaders must remain poised even if the demand seems unfair.
- Regardless of what others do, leaders must be consistent in modeling what is right.
- Effective leaders establish values that are visible and measurable for others to see.
- Leaders are charged with what others need to hear and not merely held to what others want to hear.
- They direct people where they ought to go, not necessarily where they desire to go.
Jesus, the ultimate example of leadership.
Hosea’s example of leadership points us to Jesus Christ. God, in his long-suffering and patient character highlights the Covenant He made with His people. Therefore, Hosea’s extravagant story symbolizes Israel’s unfaithfulness and how ultimately it is overshadowed by God’s faithfulness. Even though this original message was for Israel, the promise still applies to us today. We are a hopeless people in a disastrous mess. Paul tells us there is hope for all mankind. He compares Adam, the first created man, to Jesus, God’s Beloved Son. Where Adam brought death to all mankind, Jesus brings life and restores creation to its original order. Most of all, God is working to renew His creation, both mankind and nature where His beautiful love gets the final word.
Interested in further readings on leadership found in scripture?
Construction Follows Connection: Nehemiah pt. 1
