I Triumph still, If thou abide with me: By Henry Francis Lyte. (Watson, L.E. p. 36-39)

Having probe, the writing several times back and forth. The sequence of the event runs off the page with a deafening screech as it collides with my thought. The Lesson that is being put forth by the writer:

1. leadership can be lonely,
2. Leadership requires that we understand who we are
3. Leadership requires that we are aware of the call and who has called us
4. How do we evaluate the work being done?

but more importantly, that leadership requires self-confidence.

Henry lost sight of what it is that he was doing. He was assessing or basing his results on the external things – the Lifestyle, the greed etc. of those he was leading. He wanted to impact the environment but lost his confidence because of the assessments.

The impact of this is on a P1 critical state for me. It is a reminder for what I was told during my undergrad studies. During one of our classes, our professor/principal spoke about being your own hallelujah corner, as there are days when you would be preaching and no one would be responding. He encouraged us at such point to continue preaching and when you get home pat yourself on the back and say well done.

Your self-esteem had to be at a level that would bolster the confidence needed to get the job done. Northouse (2018, p24), reminds us “self-confidence is about being certain about one’s competencies and skill”. He went further to argue this would help the individual to feel that “their attempts to influence others are appropriate and right” (p.24)
Author Crawford W. Loritts, Jr in his book Leadership as An Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence, noted “what inspires us to take action is an irresistible picture of either what should be done or what could be done. We then focus our determination to make it happen” (p115) he further laments that for Christian leadership” is all about doing what God wants to be done” (p.115)

I can see Henry’s portion and therefore challenge myself constantly not be caught in the position of losing my confidence.  but, in obedience to the masters call forge forward.

References:

Loritts JR, W. C (2009). Leadership as An Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence. Chicago: Moody Publishers

Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice, Eight Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Watson, L.E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York: Simon and Schuster