The Message of LeadershipSample

A ROYAL PAIN

"Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. Things either are what they appear to be; or they neither are, nor appear to; or they are, and do not appear to be; or they are not, and yet appear to be. Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task."
-Epictetus

Even Epictetus seems confused about appearances. Don’t build your life around trying to impress those who have power and wealth or hoping to become one of the elite of our society. Underneath the surface, we are all equal before God. Appearances are not only confusing, they can be misleading too.

My wife and I had the opportunity to worship with the Queen of England and her youngest sons in her private chapel in Great Windsor Park just outside of London. She sat in a private curtained box made especially for such occasions. At the end of the service she carefully positioned herself in front of the main exit and greeted guests as they left, just as a pastor might do at the end of the service. When our turn came, we did not shake hands with the Queen because it is not considered proper to touch a royal personage without being invited to do so. It must be painful to be so concerned about appearances and formalities.

The One whose appearances are real has chosen to be humble and meek—His name is Jesus. Yes, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. But He called us friends and laid aside the prerogatives of royalty when He tore down the curtain of separation in the Temple and gave us direct access to His Father by faith through His death and resurrection.

Weak men may insist on status, formality, and appearances, but God sees us for what we are. Wise leaders follow the example of Christ’s humility. They are aware that under the surface they are just like everyone else—no better and no worse.

Essential Insight 23: Look beneath the surface—people and circumstances are not always what they appear to be.