What Can a Tire Teach Us About Leadership?
To be
a leader of men and women, we must first obey Him who has our steering wheel.
Imagine Him turning and we resist, not willing. First, let’s say the church is
a vehicle that is on the move going somewhere, and the Holy Spirit is the
driver. I’ve been told by several truckers who drive for a living that the
front tires are the “steering rubber” and are the most important tires on the
vehicle. They represent those that are out front leading where the vehicle
goes. If you are a leader, you never stop following the Holy Spirit.
Also
on this vehicle are two tires on the back. We’ll refer to these as “followers.”
One is in line for training to take over just in case there is a replacement
needed. The other is nestled in the truck for emergency use. It is the fifth
tire, not on the ground, but along for the ride, in training as well. It needs
to be checked regularly for proper inflation. But this person must be ready at
a moment’s notice to step up just in case (we’ll refer to this one later). Now
let us get to the heart of leadership focusing on the qualifications of all the
tires on this vehicle.
The
two front tires are those picked by the Holy Spirit to lead. I understand in
most churches you only have one leader. But for the sake of this vehicle, we
have two in agreement going in the same direction. The very first thing we do
when we purchase a new set of tires is balance them. If for any reason
these tires (leaders) are not balanced, doctrinally or scripturally, we have a
problem as there will not be unity. Balancing your tires will keep them from
wobbling or cause them to vibrate, bringing some doubt to the safety of the
passengers which is usually transferred to the whole vehicle through the
steering mechanism. Their influence imbalance is felt in the whole vehicle
equally if it’s negative. In most cases, this imbalance increases with speed and
they can’t maintain proper traction. The danger of this is premature wear. We
dwell mostly on the front tires because they are the ones that get all the
attention. They must be in great shape if we are to reach our destination
safely. Even if you do not consider yourself in leadership, you are still a
follower and everyone is still in the same vehicle. The second thing, we must
check on the tire to see if it has proper inflation; under inflation and over
inflation are also dangerous!
I
think of the verse in Rm. 12:3. “Not to think of one-self more highly
than he ought to think.” An overinflated person (or tire, I think
you’re tracking with me now) has less contact with the road, hence less
grip on the road to respond to maneuvers from the driver. An overinflated
person in leadership is dangerous. I Cor. 10:12 (A person of pride) “…let
him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (If angels fell,
what may happen to man? An over inflated person is usually not as
sensitive to the one steering. Such a person can’t “sense” the owner’s
directives and is certainly non-sensitive to his flock. Let’s turn our
attention to the underinflated tire (leader). Sometimes we have those in
leadership who possess “false humility” or in some cases, just don’t love
themselves as much as they ought. They are constantly looking for praise
and try to be people-pleasers. If man’s praise will unduly
inflate you, then criticism of man will devastate you. We
must live for the praises of God, not the praise of men. It’s been said,
“When people pleasers die, they see the life of someone else flash before
their eyes.” If that be the case, how in the world can we love others
as-we-love-ourselves? My question is how did that person get in
leadership in the first place? Trust me there are people who want to be leaders
who have not come to grips with loving themselves enough as truly seeing
themselves as Christ sees them. The danger for the under inflated tire is
“too much” contact with the rubber on the road which can cause the tire to heat
up and be in danger of a blowout! Too much stress and “heat” in our lives
can cause failure in our walk with Christ.
Quoting: “Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. It is
the main cause of increased “friction” causing the tire to overheat, which
leads to premature wear, tread separation and blowout!” The Lord knows we
don’t need “friction” in leaders, which causes them to fail in reaching their destination!
This to me is someone not confident of his calling or gifts or that “never thinks
he’s making a difference.” They lack the confidence of the
task before them.
Another
danger in tires is “toe in” or “toe out.” You’ve seen a pigeon-toed
person, how when they walk both feet point inward. Their shoes show the
excessive wear because of it. Meaning one might be “pulling” to the right while
the other is “pulling to the left.” Imagine trying to move a church along
and one faction is “pulling to the left” while the other is “pulling to the
right.” That church or family is headed to a major breach! We must get
our tires (leaders) in alignment, agreement, and going in the same direction. “Under
inflation”, “over inflation” and “toe in toe out” are all culprits for
increased wear and tear and will surely shorten the life of the tire and defeat
it’s original design. Listen leaders, we’ve heard of burnout because of
opposition, trials, etc. Make sure if you have anointed someone for the position
of leadership that they are equipped, tested, truly balanced in their service.
The best leaders have first been great followers.
Let’s
turn our attention to those 2 back tires (followers), mentored by leaders who
are in closest proximity and relationship with those in leadership. As
they follow, they see and hear what is done and said by leaders and sometimes
they can’t wait for their opportunity to be rotated toward the front position
to replace the former leader. (Heb. 13:17 AMP) “Obey your [spiritual]
leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are
keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare
as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do
this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to
you.” So let’s assume the worst has happened. Because of weak
oversight or poor maintenance, one of the tires suffers a blowout or a breach!
Oh no, I never thought this would happen! So the driver gets out from
behind the steering wheel. He proceeds to retrieve the jack and tools to
replace the flat tire. On his way toward the back, you can hear the followers,
the future leaders (tires) on the back, yelling pick me! Pick me! But as
he continues to the trunk, there is a ready fully inflated, balanced learner
who while riding in the truck overheard all the negative things the 2 followers
were saying about those leading up front. Now the owner takes the spare
and rolls it into position past the 2 tires (followers) who although stayed in
their positions but were not supportive of their leaders running them down at
every turn! Hence they had not yet learned the basics for a leader. Were
you a “spare” at one time waiting your turn, ready in season to be moved up,
promoted at a moment’s notice and inserted into service during a difficult time
in a spiritual congregation or organization? You might say realistically,
I prepared myself but never thought it would be this soon. Child of God, it is
God who promotes. Whether you are a teacher, assistant pastor, or leader on any
level, learn to pray for your leadership. They need the prayer and you need the
practice.
On a
closing note: About 7-8 years ago, in my original delivery of this
message, I spoke also on the importance of the vehicle, (the church) having its
front end in alignment, which if not done can put a lot of undue wear on its
leader. Time and space does not permit other details. Years ago, I was
teaching this very same theme on the tire. I had one of the men take a
spare tire out of his trunk and when I had taken the pulpit, I gave a signal to
roll the tire to the front and lean it on the pulpit. Needless to say, I
had their attention. The Spirit of God pointed out a man in the audience to me.
The actual words to him were “God is putting you on a fast track.” And
I said, “Get ready the Lord is going to accelerate your ministry and calling to
promote you!” He was the same tire! In just
weeks or months, he became Pastor of that church. He thought he would
never be in that position. His heart began to consider the word of the prophet
which prepared him for the sudden rise in position. God will pass over
many to find one faithful, prepared for service believer. (1 Peter 5:5-6 Msg) “And
you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and
followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—God has had it
with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people. So be content
with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote
you at the right time.”
Check https://aega.org for more information
Comments
Post a Comment