A "non-anxious presence"

Have you ever given any thought to those cylinder structures that stand tall, just off the coast lines? They warn and direct and guide seafaring vessels as they move through fogy days and dark nights.

The image I am imagining, in my mind this morning, is a foggy evening with that muted light, of a lighthouse, flashing through the cloudy air casting a, train like, horn through air.  

That tall tower’s silent presence directs, warns and is reliable to all who encounter it.  

Ted Loder, in his book The Haunt of Grace (page 170) writes about a true leader being a “non-anxious presence.”  Suggesting that Jesus was such a presence to his disciples; and those he walk among.

I am thinking again about how Jesus approaches Peter on the beach, after breakfast, when He asked him three times: "Peter do you live me?" Jesus had just risen a few days before.  And had come to have breakfast with His disciples; who had just come in after unsuccessful night of fishing. 

After eating with all of them, He wanted to check in with Peter about denying Him three time, a few nights before, in the courtyard of the High Priest.

Now Jesus said nothing to Peter about the denial.  He didn't scold him or berate him.  He wasn't angry or mean.  He didn't fire him from discipleship.   He didn't make him feel guilty.   Well, not until the third time He asked "Do You love me?" 

¹⁷He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. ¹⁸Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.’ ¹⁹(He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, ‘Follow me.’(Jn. 21) 

Three questions: "Do you live me?"

                         

Just one request: "Follow me."

Imagine having a 'boss' like that to work with.  Imagine what that would be like to be a “Non-anxious presence.” This is a dream of mine. I strived for this, unnamed, image for almost thirty years.

This description of a leader is so completely opposite of most people who strive to lead others.  Mostly they are striving to be liked, or have power-over, or having their way sometimes at the cost of other’s feelings.

At least that is the stereotype.  Right?

Jesus came to bring a new paradigm to the definition of a leadership.  He modeled that leadership style, in the very best way.  One example was particularly powerful. Getting down on his knees and washing his students dung dirty feet.  Then telling them to do the same.

Now that the run for President has begun to gain momentum once again. I again can’t help but wonder how Jesus would match up as a viable candidate?

  

The sophomores confirmation class said “no” to the possibility as successful run for a person like Jesus.  “Too nice,” "not strong enough,” “the servant model just wouldn’t cut it.  That was in 1992, when Bill Clinton and George H. Bush were taking up television prime time telling us how good, and competent they were, while using mud-slinging attempts, charter defamation, to discredit other candidates. 

Jesus campaign carried the message of “Good News.” His platform: goodwill, mercy, grace, forgiveness, equality, and loving kindness — with a 'non-anxious presence' to go with his words.

It has been a long time, if ever,  I have heard that kind of platform in an American election.  

Wouldn’t it be refreshing?