Problems with leadership

Recently I have had to approach some people to ask them to consider taking up positions of leadership.  In each case I was delighted to encounter a shyness and reluctance.  Leadership is such a delicate task, and those who aspire to it may not be the persons fitted for it.  By nature I myself am a shy and retiring person and never at any time in my life have I ever sought positions of power.  For that matter, I have never until very recent times been put into positions of power.  The ‘natural’ leader can be a great blessing, but such persons can also be dangerous, as they may turn out to enjoy control over others and operate in the interests of their own pride and sense of fulfilment rather than for the interests of the community.  Fortunately there aren’t many such individuals in Carmel, but they do crop up occasionally and they can be very difficult to deal with.  By contrast I love the story of how Samuel chose David, who was the youngest son of Jesse and out tending the sheep when Samuel came looking for the next king of Israel.  There is no room in Carmel for self-promotion, but on the other hand it is wonderful when a naturally reticent person gifted with humility is elected for leadership, and then that person proves to have a talent for leadership which is a blessing to the whole community.

Intercessions:

Brian Davis – cancer

Cancer: Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS - housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill