LEADERS ARE PERSISTENTquickly. In time, the leader lost control – and was overtaken and crushed
under the weight of his own success! It can easily become the problem of
“too much too soon!” Too much success...achievement...advancement...
notoriety...recognition...prosperity...money ...power – too quickly can
become deadly! Scores of lives and leaders have been destroyed because
of too much success too quickly. Time proved that they did not have the
spiritual and emotional maturity to manage their momentum! As a result of
being in the “fast lane,” they began to play “fast and loose” with the rules.
They began to compromise...take short-cuts...rationalize...justify their
excesses. One of the first places that momentum-out-of-control begins to
manifest itself is through money and morals. In the conversations of their
mind they rationalize: “I deserve it...I have worked hard...I have sacrificed...
This is what I have worked for...These are just the ‘perks and privileges’ of my
position.” Often their marriage becomes the staging area for their excesses
and extravagances. Soon their momentum takes a detour and heads in the
wrong direction. It is only a matter of time until they self-destruct! This
pattern of momentum-out-of-control is seen in both secular and sacred
leaders. That’s why the Bible warns us not to put young and immature
Christians into positions of leadership too quickly. Listen to these wise
words concerning the appointment of church leaders:
“He must not be a recent convert, or he may become
conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil”
(I Tim. 3:6).Christian leaders need to remind themselves that it was the sin of pride
that led to Lucifer’s downfall (Isa. 14:11-15; Ezek. 28:12-17). Most of us
are not very well prepared emotionally or spiritually to face either failure
or success! We tend to settle down into middle class mediocrity – avoiding
the dangers of success and failure. Either of these experiences can lead
to the other. Failure can become the school that trains us for success; and
success can be that experience that leads to failure. If a genuine spirit
of humility accompanies our success, it will only bring glory to God. If
our success results in haughtiness and pride, it will lead to our downfall
and destruction! The success that comes from sustained momentum can
either cause a leader to stand tall in pride and arrogance or bend low in
humility and praise to God! Our Creator has given us a good example
of leadership humility in nature: “The limb that bears the most fruit bends
the lowest to the ground!” When God prospers a leader with a lot of