Cheryl and I slipped away to see the movie DEFIANCE this week. The powerful saga pulsates with pathos as two Jewish brothers in World War II who flee the Germans, who have slaughtered the boy’s parents. Escaping from Poland into the Belarussian forests, they begin to raid those who are siding with the Germans…while at the same time taking in increasing numbers of Jewish refugees.
The community of fleeing Jews expands by the day. Dodging pursuing Germans. Trying to cope with each other while under increasing pressures. Working out the rules of boundaries in relationships. Coping with temperament differences. Striving to merely survive while running for their lives. And all the while, the oldest brother, Tuvia is thrust into the leadership role of this motley crew.
It is an amazing study of the pressures of leadership. No matter how hard a leader tries to lead with the right motives…looking out for the best of all people involved…attempting to be fair…and striving to maintain unity and focus…he or she will probably be greatly unappreciated, accused of selfish motives, claimed to be unfair, pushed to the point of exhaustion and questioned in judgment regularly. Ahhhhh, the joys of leadership.
Watch the movie and you’ll be reminded that leading people to understand life is not about ME, but WE, can be amazingly fulfilling and rewarding. Seeing people lay down a sense of entitlement, and pick up a yoke of responsibility can turn away defeat and disaster. Knowing that a goal everyone’s ultimate benefit is worth the sacrifice of a hard journey and individual cost is woven through the entire screen play. And the payoff of mutual sacrifice is powerfully showed to pay off dramatically.
Don’t miss this message of faith, sacrifice, perseverance and community. But for every leader…whether at home, at work, in the church or around the community this is a “Must See.†And it’s a great reminder that leadership comes with a price…always. But the rewards are worth the cost!
I could not agree more. Great catch and perspective on that movie.
When you’re in charge and imperfect, you will disappoint people. You have to choose and execute on what you believe to be the right thing. None of us know the future. We make choices on what we know.
If people were more forgiving and less pharisaical, their leadership – particularly in politics, I think – would lead more sacrificially and more effectively. There’s nothing in it – for the average politician – to make tough choices since the average American won’t afford that same politician the grace and civility s/he’s due.
“Honor is unstable and seldom the same; for she feeds upon opinion, and is as fickle as her food.†~Charles Colton
Thanks Jamisson! Great word. Great input. I would say that it isnot just in politics, maybe even more prevalent there. I believe a close look would show very similar response in business, church, coaching, and probably many more not even mentioned here.
Great quote at the end. Is the originator of the quote Charles Colton…or Colson?
Charles Caleb Colton. Sad guy, but good quote.