Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you. -Psalm 89:14
Dear members and friends,
In 2024, I have been reflecting on what it means to be a leader and what the qualities of a leader are. I realized that defining a leader has become a complicated matter, let alone defining the qualities of a good leader. According to an English dictionary, leader is defined as “the person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.” Consequently, anyone who is in the position of leading or commending could be defined as a leader. The important question is, would that person lead the group, organization, or country for the good of the people or for their own self-interest? In my observation, in capitalized, modern communities, the accepted norm seems to be that people in general would work for their own interest. Consequently, it is understandable that leaders would work for those who are essentially connected with their own interest.
Would it be just a dream to hope and expect to have leaders with high qualities and values? Indeed, leaders are just humans like the rest of the people. However, it is undeniable that leaders not only lead the people but also inspire and influence people in respect to their values and priorities. In ancient China, Confucius lived in one of the most cruel and vicious times in human history. There was virtually no one among the leaders (kings, princes, and nobles) who genuinely cared for the good of the people. Living in such an age gave Confucius a deep and profound insight on how to build peaceful, fulfilling, and productive human communities. After traveling for many years, Confucius summarized his insights into one method: cultivating qualitative leadership through holistic education. Confucius felt that just putting intelligent, skillful, or learned people into the leadership was not an answer, because people would abuse their position and power for self-interest. Only leaders with certain cultivated inner qualities would have enough strength to overcome such innate desires arising from self-interest. Confucius named five inner qualities essential for a leader: trust-worthiness, knowledge, propriety, righteousness, and benevolence.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take a moment of meditational prayer this week. Let us pray to God for a healing and peaceful proceedings for our country. Then, let us look into our own hearts and cultivate a way to bring wise and peaceful actions.
Blessings, Rev. Junchol Lee