For a Good Start

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

I admit it. I was one of those who believed that a square could never become a circle—and vice versa. With the passage of time, I’ve had to change my mind. Clinging to this belief means remaining alone, erecting insurmountable barriers against anyone who might contribute to our growth. Every relationship requires an effort to adapt, in the search for common ground. Learning to yield is an act of great maturity and foresight. Giving something up means welcoming what another has to offer; it is opening oneself to synergy and cooperation. I thank God for those who have led me to change and encouraged me to grow. Thus, just as in my personal life, so too in ecclesial and ministerial service at every level, I have come to learn that leadership is action, movement, and transformation. In the accounts of the calling of the first disciples, the Gospels present us with men devoted to fishing—workers who do not fear hard work, business partners who understand teamwork and the joy of sharing. Jesus chooses a day when their fishing had been unsuccessful to direct these men’s gaze toward a new perspective: becoming “fishers of men” (Luke 5).

First, Jesus uses their boat—the tool of their trade—as a platform to spread his teachings on the Sea of Gennesaret. Then he shows how placing their trust in his word can fill their nets beyond all expectation. Only then does the challenge for a definitive change come: “Follow me” (Mark 1:17; Matthew 4:19). Training is fundamental in a process of growth and development to become powerful leaders. No one should ignore this, because we never stop learning when we want to progress and keep pace with everything around us that evolves and changes at the speed of light. From many quarters, our society is lamenting the shortage of “leaders” capable of positively inspiring the younger generations. If we look around, there are fewer and fewer individuals capable of making an impact on people, sparking passion, and inspiring a desire to test one’s limits. Let me be clear that by the term “leader,” I mean an individual placed in ministry as the head or coordinator of a group of people, capable of providing a tool to his collaborators—his disciples—to enable them to act immediately, just as the prophet Elisha did when he trustingly entrusted his staff to Gehazi, even though he later had to acknowledge that it had failed (2 Kings 4:29–31).

Unfortunately, without adequate preparation, any tool provided will prove ineffective for its intended purpose and suitable only for meeting the needs of the moment. Only by investing time, however, will we be able to prepare them to effectively face the challenges they will inevitably encounter. Everyone must do their part and invest of their own, if necessary. I believe the time has come to change and to have a clear vision for implementing a process of growth marked by precise and fundamental steps, allocating time and resources accordingly. We are challenged to pursue genuine growth, which can extend not only to the ecclesial sphere but also to our professional, social, and relational lives. Now more than ever, this is essential so that we do not rely solely on personal ingenuity, risking a counterproductive amateurism. Personal expectations risk leading us into ambiguity or causing frustration. We must be clear about the ultimate goal and the recipients of our service. For a good start, it is always wise to turn our gaze to Jesus, who remains even today the best example of a “leader” in all of human history—and to whom all scholars continue to look, bearing witness that He remains the perfect example, the Teacher par excellence. Let us heed the exhortation of the author of the Letter to the Hebrews.

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Weekly Bible Reading Plan #30

July 20, Psalms 26–28; Acts 22

July 21, Psalms 29–30; Acts 23:1–15

July 22, Psalms 31–32; Acts 23:16–35

July 23, Psalms 33–34; Acts 24

July 24, Psalms 35–36; Acts 25

July 25, Psalms 37–39; Acts 26

July 26, Psalms 40–42; Acts 27:1