I caught a small part of a History Channel program on Vikings the other day. What I heard, however, really made me start thinking.
One fierce Viking leader, called Ivar, had the nickname “Boneless.” No one was sure why, but they know that Ivar was unable to walk and had to be carried everywhere on a shield. Whether this was a disease or injury, it impresses me that Ivar continued to be a man that could rally troops and lead battles from this position and with this disability.
If I picture well-decorated generals in history – whatever the country – and the image is always of a man standing straight and tall, marching or riding into battle, wielding a spear, gun or sword – not of a man being carried into battle.
Obviously, something in the character of Ivar drew others to follow his leadership.
It goes without saying that we should all follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and both the teachings and example of Jesus. But what about the people who come into your life and influence you? Do you look to the rich, the good-looking, the powerful, the successful or the famous in this world to find your guidance and examples in decisions for your life?
When Israel sought a king and God offered them Saul, it seemed like a good thing. Saul looked the part – head and shoulders above the rest of the men of the country. Originally, Saul had the right heart, but he lost that along the way. All his kingly stature could not make up for his poor character.
When God choose David even his own father could not believe the boy would be considered for the next king of Israel. God explained that HE looks upon the heart – not the outward appearance.
Since we don’t have that luxury – of truly knowing another person’s heart the way God does – all we can do is judge by whether or not their actions follow God’s word.
Follow those who have proven themselves by weathering storms and trials in life without losing their character or convictions. Follow those who, when they do make mistakes, have the strength to admit they are wrong, the courage to seek to correct that wrong and conviction to strive to change.
Sometimes these people are easy to find, they live under public scrutiny because they are in a visible leadership role. Other times, you will have to seek them out and get to know the ones that quietly live their convictions and maybe feel too insignificant to lead from the front of the line.
These are the ones who are leading from a shield – maybe too feeble, or too poor, or too humble to promote their own lives. You will have to go to them – seeking out the quiet widow who served as the support for a more gregarious or honored, but now-dead mate. Maybe it is an old man in a wheel chair, who served before you were ever converted, but now is too weak to even lead songs or give a closing prayer.
These leaders are still worthy of following and maybe more worthy that the obvious leaders. What they have to offer in the history of their battles can’t be found anywhere else except in the sharing of their scars – their triumphs and their tragedies and the lessons gleaned in each.
Maybe you are at that point in your own life. You have a lot to share, but no one to carry you into battle. Please reach out to those of us who need you. We need you to help us in our current roles, and we will need to follow your examples when we too can only lead from the shield.
Those who lead from the shield still have the heart for battle. They still have the wisdom to lead the fight, even if they have to be carried into battle.
With love,
Nancy
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