3 Verses: Response to Ideation as a Leader (Part 1)
Scripture — Esther 1:10-12 (NRSV)
On the seventh day, when the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who attended him, to bring Queen Vashti before the king wearing the royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the officials her beauty, for she was fair to behold. But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s command conveyed by the eunuchs. At this the king was enraged, and his anger burned within him.
Focus
Where do you get your ideas from? It is not inconceivable that a good idea can come out of dire circumstances, but how do you know what to do with an idea you get? The germ of the idea inspires. The potential fruit from the seed of an idea is intense. But King Ahasuerus reminds leaders to ask, “What should I do with an idea?” Amid unbound excess and presumptuous leadership, behind the veil we find the providential rule of God in the center of weakness with more than ideas.
Devotion
Where do you get your ideas from? Leaders need space to curate good ideas and develop concepts into something useful. Generating an idea can be difficult, especially if you do not know where your ideas come from. In the article “Five Ways To Boost Your Creativity During Ideation ” Keith Shields stated, “When the germ of an idea comes to you in a burst of inspiration, the excitement is intense. You know you’re onto something.” That eureka-esque moment of recognizing a “what could be?” carries remnants of the “let there be” of Genesis 1 and the “what is possible?” of the Gospel.
The problem is that inspiration often does not provide a datum or a compass. It does not always answer the idea’s origin or clearly state where that idea is going. Some trust in chariots and horses, but King Ahasuerus trusted in the spirits. In Esther 1:1-9, we find Persia was amid a six-month celebration of excess where edicts were given that “there is no compulsion.” (1:9). The precedent had been set: extravagance, excess, and consumption. And then there was wine.
Perhaps it is not always drinking wine for a leader, but similar ingredients lead to the same questions. What does a leader do when they plateau? Or when a leader finds abundance and good fortune, when leaders begin to believe they are in control of everything and everyone, when the achievement is intoxicating, what kind of ideas will a leader come up with? After three years of leadership, a six-month party, lots of excess, and wine, King Ahasuerus’ idea was to command seven eunuchs to get his wife, the Queen.
Where do you get your ideas from? It is not inconceivable that a good idea can come out of dire circumstances, but how do you know what to do with an idea you get? The germ of the idea inspires. The potential fruit from the seed of an idea is intense. But King Ahasuerus reminds leaders to ask, “What should I do with an idea?” Amid unbound excess and presumptuous leadership, behind the veil we find the providential rule of God in the center of weakness with more than ideas.
Reflect
What do you think motivates the way King Ahasuerus leads?
Act
Spend some time thinking about the ideas you come up with as a leader. Where does your mind go in your relationship with God and others when things go well? Ask someone who sees through you to share the ideas they hear from you.
Pray
Thank you, God, for wonder, amazement, and the ability to think. But thank you also for the grace of not allowing all our ideas to come to fruition. Amen.
Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project’s online commentary. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: Working Within a Fallen System (Esther).
DeLano Sheffield
Author & Business Resource Specialist
DeLano J. Sheffield is a senior pastor and employer engagement manager for Great Jobs KC (formerly KC Scholars) where he fosters connections between people on the fringes and employers in the Kansas City Metro. He advocates for the hiring of people who would not normally have opportunities. De...