“Good God”

1 Kings 3: 3-14; Ephesians 5: 15-20

August 16, 2009

I have just recently returned to Regina after serving as a student summer supply minister at Whitehorse United Church in the Yukon. The scenery is beautiful in that part of the north, with plenty of mountains, trees and rivers and an assortment of wildlife. The people are friendly and caring and overall the atmosphere in Whitehorse reminds me a lot of Regina. At the end of April, as I was getting ready to move to Whitehorse from Halifax, I received lots of warnings from student friends about what to expect there. Advice ranged from, “Stay away from the bears roaming the streets,” to “Be prepared to buy snowshoes and long underwear as soon as your plane hits the runway if you want to survive.” I also was frequently warned, “You better like fish, because that’s all they eat way up there!” Well, none of that was true at all. The only bear that I saw was painted on the back of a tour bus and the weather in Whitehorse during my time there was exceptionally warm. I actually ended up having to buy lighter clothes, rather than long underwear, much to my relief. I only ate fish once.

From my first day of work in Whitehorse United Church I was considered to be “the minister.” The fact that I still have two more years of my four year program to complete – that I am only in actuality half a minister – did not matter to the congregation. A minister is a minister. I was given a schedule of Committee meetings to attend and, as in the case of the Worship Committee meetings, my thoughts and ideas were requested and considered. Preparing the service, developing the weekly Bulletin and of course writing the sermon and preaching were things that were confidently left in my hands. It was assumed that I knew what I knew, and that I would find people to help me to learn what I did not know. That gave me a good feeling about my relationship with the congregation. My Whitehorse experience taught me something about the importance of good leadership skills whether one is a minister or some other type of leader. I can appreciate, too, how damaging some types of leadership can be, especially if the leader chooses to use power to their advantage.

Solomon is trying to fill his father’s shoes as the new King of Israel. David had been a strong, powerful ruler. In addition, he was also an obedient servant to God and he loved God deeply. Because of this God looked upon David with favour. When God comes to Solomon in a dream, and offers to give him anything he asks for, it does not seem to take Solomon long to choose what he wants as a gift. Solomon asks for nothing for himself except the wisdom to rule the people of Israel the way God wants them to be ruled. How many of you here would ask for wisdom if God offered to give you anything you asked for? God gave Solomon the wisdom he requested as well as a lifetime of riches, honour and greatness because Solomon had more concern for the well being and needs of the people under his rule than for his own personal needs. Solomon wanted to be a good leader. His objective was to rule, not overrule the people in his kingdom. Solomon is a good example for leaders in the world and in society today to consider.

The thirst for power or money, or both, is one that is not easy to quench for many leaders. It does not matter if the leader is in politics, in the church or in some kind of business – big or small – power can be abused. Wisdom is not something many leaders believe that they are lacking. A good leader, however, knows the importance of wisdom – and of God – in their relationship with those under their authority. How to become a good leader? Ephesians tells us more fully how to do just that. As in 1 Kings, Ephesians stresses the importance of wisdom in leadership. Paul’s advice is to look at each day for what it is - a gift from God. He goes on to say that if we live our lives filled with the Holy Spirit, give praise and thanks to God, God will be good to us – just as God was good to Solomon. Good leaders, wise leaders, are those who prayerfully consider their relationship with God as they lead others. By putting the needs of others above our own need for power and control, which so often destroys those who are innocent, our faith in God becomes our true priority. Good leaders are those who can proclaim their faith in God even, and also, through their leadership role. Can you imagine what it would be like if leaders today were like that?

It is very possible for us to see and experience this kind of wise leadership today within the walls of this church, and outside in our own community. Good leaders start out by being good people who are wise enough to know that love is the real power. Christians start out the same way. Good leaders who proclaim to be Christian live out their faith through their work as well as through the other aspects of their life.

In Whitehorse the congregation was challenged to understand the importance of God’s love and care in order to continue as a community of faith while they were between ministers. I was challenged by their situation at the time to understand and provide leadership that would support and encourage the church community in their time of transition. Faith-filled leadership, whether within the context of a congregation or the political arena begins with the leader admitting that they are still only human, too. Solomon says to God, “I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” God listened and embraced Simon, giving him what he needed to become a good king and leader.

God is here for us as for leaders, and really we all in our own way are leaders, too. Reaching out to those in need and providing them with the same love and compassion that God gives to us is a way of leading people toward God and helping them to understand what God is really all about. God is about having wisdom – the wisdom to know that we cannot do anything truly good without God in our lives. God is about having the wisdom to understand that others who are suffering in some way in society need to be loved and cared for, not controlled or judged. God is about having the courage to reach out to those who need us, even if we are unsure and uncomfortable about what we should really do, and putting their needs and struggles before our own. God is about loving others as God loves us. Let us lead the way. Amen.

Preached by Heather Rogers

Knox-Metropolitan United Church

Regina, Saskatchewan