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| E-Devotional
Vision “Where there is no vision, the people perish but he that keeps the law happy is he” (Proverbs 29:16). “I see a union and a confederation of thirteen states, independent of Parliament, of Minister and of King!” (John Adams, 1774). In his book The Founding Fathers of Leadership Donald T. Phillips posits that before a creative leader attempts to inspire others he must have a good idea of where he wants to go. As such, a vision is at the heart of leadership. Such was the case with John Adams. We often believe that to be a great leader one must have an amazing education, preferably from a prestigious university, yet this was not the case with John Adams who was born and raised in very humble surroundings. Adam’s father worked as a farmer and a shoemaker and his mother instilled in him a strong Christian upbringing. He spent a considerable part of his life reading and learning. He decided never to “suffer one hour to pass unimproved.” John Adams was driven to succeed. At times he felt that he was destined for greatness and other times he was extremely humble. When elected to Congress he believed that a new opportunity had arisen for him yet he felt himself “unequal” to the task (his diary). In May of 1774 the Virginia House of Burgess called for a gathering of representatives from all colonies. From this September 5, 1774 gathering surfaced the First Continental Congress. Immediately there was division among the delegates: between the radicals who were determined to change their relationship with Great Britain and the more conservatives who had commercial ties to Great Britain and advocated diplomacy. The opportunities to lead arose and Adams seized the moment. He led the radicals with finesse and delicacy. Adams began to whisper to all delegates the word “independence”. As everyone thought about it they could understand it. Soon it was on the lips of many representatives until it became their own idea—not just that of John Adams. Great leaders do not impose their thoughts on others. They lead by example as they empower others to appropriate leadership and innovation. Anyone can impose fear on another but respect is earned. Many so-called business leaders have no knowledge of empowerment because they lack foundational principles. Therefore, they dictate to those who most follow; as a result we find many companies perishing daily. They perish because of no vision. And the circle is never ending. Many suggest that John Adams knew how to communicate his vision clearly as a direct result of being “a scholar of the Scriptures” (Phillips, 34). Lord, give me a hunger for your Scriptures so that in them I can find the wisdom to lead those with whom you have blessed me. Meditation:
Is there any correlation between leadership and the
Scriptures?
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