What's Important?

Today, I led my government students in a discussion about what kind of leader this country needs. I asked them to write a job description and requirements for the Office of President of the United States. We started by working through what they believe is important in a leader. I had planned to integrate into the discussion the principles of leadership we are going to discuss on the retreat since those are the proper (biblical) principles for leadership. An interesting thing occurred. As I fielded characteristics from students and listed them on the board, and we began discussing each and fleshing out what each looks like in practice, they all expressed a desire to have someone posses biblical principles. While maintaining composure, I was shocked! I really expected to hear things like, “strong ambition”, “go-getter”, “persuasive”, “successful as indicated by wealth or affluence”, but rather, I heard things like, “humble”, “balance authority”, “good reputation”, “lives what they say”. As they explained there rationale, I was even more in awe since their motivation was manifested in a genuine concern for others, even outside their personal perspective on issues. For a moment, my head was in a whirlwind. I actually was encouraged by the discussion and please to hear these young students express these desires since they will be going to vote in the February 12^th primary, even if our perspective on issues is different.

As I sit and reflect, I am perplexed; even confused. At what point do these youth who express wholesome desires (even if not biblically based) for leadership succumb to the practice of ill-conceived leadership? There must be a point in their life when these “good” desires give way to the “realistic” principles we see in leaders today. College? The work force? When does it happen? I know where it happens; in the world. Certainly we see what a worldly leader is from the world. We have TV shows devoted to it and it’s covered in most magazines. I guess I want to know at what point people convert. I have way more questions than I do answers.