The Versatality of Leadership Qualities and Roles

UV 1238/10,000 The Versatality of Leadership Qualities
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Matthew 10 v 16
A believer is as vulnerable as sheep that are meek and harmless but have to face up to the dangers of the predatory world: people who are cunning, violent, wicked, aggressive, deceivers, jealous, proud and lustful. The Lord warns us that we are called to be perfect in a grossly imperfect world. He therefore exhorts us to develop some versatile but paradoxical personal qualities and gifts that range from the innocence of the dove to the shrewdness of the serpents. Like doves we need to use the wings of prayer and the Word to power ourselves to fly away from the traps and machinations of the world. Like doves continually make a chortling noise from their throats, we need to constantly praise, thank and communicate with the Lord. Like the dove that was released by Noah brought back a freshly plucked olive leaf, we need to take to the Lord the things that burden us, the troubles that face us in the world and bring back to the world a message of peace from the Lord.

The Lord Jesus also exhorts us to be wise or shrewd as serpents. Serpents hug the ground and keep listening to warning signs, even the vibrations of the earth and the rustle of leaves to know which direction a danger looms ahead and to avoid that path. They listen with and along the whole length of their bodies. We too should learn to listen not just with our ears but with our whole bodies, minds and spirits and take preventive or pre-emptive actions. The serpent sheds its skin and keeps moving away from the place where it has shed its skin. Similarly, we too should learn and form new and healthy habits and disciplines that help us grow into the new creature the Lord wants us to be. The serpent is subtle in its ways. We should be wise and discerning like the serpent and not be taken in by mere appearances or beguiling words, assurances and actions of people. We need to be proactive and cautious or circumspect like the serpent.

The serpent hisses even when it does not strike to warn other creatures to stay away as it means business. Similarly, even if we do not use our full powers we need to give people an indication that we are willing and ready to use it if it comes to it. The serpent either winds its way around or slithers over obstacles in its path. Similarly, we should not be deterred by obstacles and barriers in our way but try to find a way either around it, over it or under it. We should also combine the qualities, gifts and skill sets of the dove with the qualities, gifts and skill sets of the serpent. We should be practical and grounded like the serpent and at the same time soar like a dove in the skies. The fruit of the spirit are all qualities of the dove: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control. Through this uni-verse, Jesus is telling us to exercise these soft qualities along with the hard qualities and balance of the wisdom of the serpent. We should be aware and beware of all the viles of the enemy without being either susceptible or influenced by it or by becoming a prey or victim to it. While we ourselves are harmless, we should live and act in such a way that we avoid being harmed or ensnared. While we should be innocent of evil, we are not called to be naïve or gullible. While we should not take advantage of others, we should not let others take advantage of our own goodness or kindness.

Prateep V Philip