In his book, Leading With a Limp, Dan Allender says this:

“We should bless men and women who have done their level best to escape leadership but who have been compelled to return and put their hand on the tiller. We should expect anyone who remains in a formal leadeship context to experience repeated bouts of flight, doubt, surrender, and return. Why would this be God’s plan? Why does God love the reluctant leader? Here is one reason: the reluctant leader is not easily seduced by power, pride, or ambition.”

He says that “reluctant leaders don’t aspire to hold power; in fact, they avidly work to give it away.” I’m not sure I fully agree with the idea of blessing those who have tried hard to escape leadership… but I do see his point on blessing the faithful who battle with doubt and flight and come back to their faithful work. Simply put, leadership is HARD work. And no doubt many leaders spend countless hours wondering how on earth they got to where they are, and how on earth they’re going to lead given the present circumstances. Leadership is complex.

I do, however, resonate with his thoughts about the “reluctant leader.” The narcissistic leader doesn’t have any issues with power, pride and ambition - because those are what drive that leader to do what he/she does. The constant jockeying for position and favor… controlling a public image… pushing an agenda… self-preservation at the expense of others… Bottom line: this isn’t living like Christ would (Philippians 2) - considering others better than yourself, looking out for the needs of others, being a servant… But the reluctant leader leads despite knowing just how weak and futile he is in his own strength. The reluctant leader is not impressed with his/her abilities or the fruits of his labor. Allender says this:

“A reluctant leader knows that her calling to lead is ridiculous, but she bears the high glory of God’s decision to call weak fools into the work of leading others. Consequently, a reluctant leader smiles at the striving ambition of power-hungry leaders to make more and keep more.”

This is so challenging to read! I so want to live like a reluctant leader, but I’m afraid too often, my desire to please others and excel puts me more in the ambitious leader or narcissistic leader category. That’s why reading a book like this is absolutely essential for anyone who is - or wants to be - a leader. All of us are leaders in some capacity. If there is anyone following you in any way, you are a leader. The question is: will you be a reluctant leader who God can use to bring all glory to Himself? Or will you be the ambitious or narcissistic leader who tries to pull all the glory to himself?

“If God is real and involved in your life and wants you to be a leader, he will corner you and direct you back into the good that you are to live. So if God captures you, stop running, count the cost, and lead. The more passionately a leader tries to flee but is cornered by God to serve in leadership, the more clearly she understands that her service is an exposure of her weakness and a revelation of God’s goodness. It is God’s design to use reluctant servants to usher in glory.”