Do you remember the scene in The Incredibles where Lucius (Frozone) is hysterically rummaging through his condo looking for his super suit so that he can save the world? His wife, Honey, forewarns him, “Don’t you think about running off doing no derrin’-do. We’ve been planning this dinner for two months!”
The conversation swells with tension as Lucius continues his frantic search for the super suit:
Lucius: The public is in danger!
Honey: My evening’s in danger!
Lucius: You tell me where my suit is, woman! We are talking about the greater good!
Honey: ‘Greater good?’ I am your wife! I’m the greatest ‘good’ you are ever gonna get!
Every day parents and spouses put on their super suits and leave their families behind in the ardent pursuit of success. As leaders, we must realize that our greatest good, or most critical leadership influence, must begin in the home. We see this emphasis drawn from the life of one of Israel’s greatest leaders, Joshua. Because Joshua put his family first (Joshua 24:15), the nation was stronger. When a leader’s influence begins in the home, the community benefits. But when leaders put community or corporate success first, both their families and the community suffer.
Contrast Joshua’s leadership values to that of Eli. This Old Testament high priest failed to lead his family well and it led to his downfall as a religious leader and the demise of his children (1 Samuel 2:22-36). Eli put his colleagues and clients first, not his family. Eli got so caught up with his profession that he took his family for granted, presuming his children to be “okay” due to his position or title. This false realization was devastating not only to his household, but to the community as a whole.
Remember leader; we only get one shot to raise our children. The organization can get another leader, the church can find another pastor, the ministry can hire another director, but your kids can’t get another dad or mom. God has not called us to put on our ministry super suits at the expense of sacrificing our marriage or kids on the altar of success. Our families are the greatest good we’ll ever experience in this lifetime. We must lead them well.
The biblical credentials for ministry deal mostly with how we lead our families as well as our own character, not the doctorates behind our names, the results we produce, or how effective we are in ministry.
Evaluate the leadership in your home. Are you giving your best and serving well the people you love? Are you modeling what you want your children to become? As we put on our super suits to influence the world as agents of change and leaders of hope, we must simultaneously be asking ourselves some introspective questions:
1. Do I exert initiative in giving direction and taking responsibility for my primary relationships?
2. Do I experience intimacy with God and my family through open conversation and meaningful dialogue?
3. Do I exercise influence by patiently encouraging, spiritually edifying, and intentionally developing my loved ones?
4. Do I exemplify integrity in leading an honest life, speaking the truth in love, practicing self-discipline, and modeling authentic faith in the home?
5. Do I energetically invest time in the lives of those closest to me or do I burn all of my energy for those outside the home?
Leaders who want to see their communities and organizations thrive would do well to take personal inventory of their leadership in the home. Joshua valued his family, Eli didn’t. They both serve as examples for us today.
“Is it not my family God has chosen?
Yes, he has made an everlasting covenant with me.
His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail.
He will ensure my safety and success.
2 Samuel 23:5 (NLT)
Remember your greatest good today!