Scars of Leadership

This big elk is now "the man" at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains. After years of dominance, the former bull elk was defeated in battle in 2018 and this new king resides over his harem. One look at him and you can see that it was not an easy win... but the loser was in even worse shape.

We look up to powerful leaders of industry and business with respect, but these people often climbed that ladder by stepping on people along the way and ruthlessly battling others in order to be on top. We applaud the winner and often forget about the victims. At the time I took this photo, the previous dominant elk had not been seen for a couple weeks. Some park volunteers feared he might even be dead (I do not know if that is the case or not).

There is a huge difference between this type of societal leader and the kind of spiritual leader Jesus instructs His followers to be. He said a leader must be an example for others by being willing to humbly serve them.

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10-42-45)

Jesus definitely came away from the spiritual and physical battle that took place on Calvary with scars to prove His willingness to lead others to heaven through great personal sacrifice... even death. Satan was defeated as Jesus demonstrated His power over death by rising from the dead, and sin no longer has a stronghold on humanity as a result. Jesus bears the scars of leadership to this day from His pierced hands, feet and side... but He is King and Satan is doomed.

We are called to be servant leaders too. When you make that decision, then expect to have battle scars too.