Uzziah became King of Judah when he was 16 years old. Sixteen! At 16 I was struggling to negotiate the clutch, brake and gas of a 1973 Volkswagen Bug. Meanwhile, Uzziah was negotiating with kings of other nations. Impressive. What’s even more impressive was that this man was no flash in the pan. He held his reign for fifty two years. Most pastors don’t last at their church for fifty two weeks. His longevity in leadership is impressive, but it gets better.
Uzziah is an amazing leader. He successfully conquered pesky nations that Judah traditionally had problems with. If you are Philistine, an Ammonite, or an Arabian, you hated Uzziah. He kicked your countries tail and you licked your wounds daily as you paid tribute and taxes to this young, strong leader. Uzziah was not only a great military mind, but an engineer as well. Engines, towers, gates were all developed under his reign. What was the key to his success? He was able to accomplish these tasks because He personally followed the Lord and developed leaders around Him. He was a great leader because He empowered and dispatched other leaders to fulfill his vision. The chronicler supports this view with his assessment, “And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong” (2 Chron. 26:15).
Uzziah died in isolation riddled with leprosy.
So what happened? Somewhere along the way leaders begin to feel that they can do it all. They feel they transcend their position, power and gifting. What they delegated to other leaders they begin to take back. The trust they placed in younger men is rescinded. They think they can be omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. They become a god, their own idol. The pitfall of pride is wide and deep in leadership and it can kill you. Uzziah was a king, not a priest. His role was to rule the people, not mediate the nations relationship with God. Yet, Uzziah’s success led him to believe he transcended his role. He boldly stepped into the temple to burn incense on the altar. In courageous defiance the priests stood against their out-of-control king. Yet Uzziah prevailed. The consequence? God struck with him with leprosy, he was isolated in a home and excluded from his Kingdom. Pastors and leaders beware.
The only one capable of fulfilling multiple roles like king, priest and prophet is not you. It is Jesus. The reason He can do it is because he is all knowing, all powerful and all present. He is the best leader because He is uniquely qualified to lead. So first rest, trust and look to Him to lead. Secondly, recognize your role and gifting. Are you more of a prophet, a king, a priest? Lead out of that role. Recruit and develop faithful men around you who fulfill different roles and release them to act. They are going to make mistakes. You make mistakes. That’s OK. Coach them, encourage them and empower them to do the work of the ministry.
Many start well. Few finish well. Dave Craft proposes that only 30% of leaders last. Everyone starts. Not everyone finishes. The pride pitfall is wide and deep and will swallow many. Let’s cling to Jesus as He guides us by the hand to lead His church well.
Good word. Thanks brother.