“I Can’t Do That” Leadership (Part 2)

Scripture — Esther 4:9-11 (NRSV)

Mordecai also gave [Hathach] a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and to entreat him for her people. Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai: “All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that, if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law: to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden scepter to someone may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.”

Devotion

Yesterday, we observed two forms of “I can’t do that” leadership. The first “I can’t do that” leadership results in the much-needed—and often avoided in our culture—lament approach. The second is the “I can’t do that” leadership that knows how to ask for help. Finally, we see the attempt to say “I can’t do that” simply, and that’s it.

While visiting Haiti each year on some exploration trips, we would debrief at the end of the day. Our leaders would often press us about what it means to be rich. We tend to define things by economic metrics versus observing what the economy gets us. They encouraged us to consider that wealth can also be distilled down to 1) the ability to have choices, 2) the abundance of vast opportunities, and 3) the ability to have privacy (and I would add the ability to maintain distance from others).

The edict has been issued. And many people are mourning and hurting (3:15; 4:3). But Esther was insulated, detached from the full experience of an edict that applied to her, veiled behind the city gates. She used the facts as an attempt to absolve herself of responsibility:

• Everybody knows you can’t speak unless you are called
• Everyone knows you could die speaking to power
• I know that I haven’t talked to the king in a long time.

We often find ourselves in a pause as leaders. At this point in the story, Esther and Mordecai give us excellent examples of addressing “I can’t do that” moments. And Esther’s response probes into our hearts and the human condition, and the questions that seek outlets through our hands and feet:

• Do you speak truth when beckoned or when needed?
• Do you risk your life?
• Does silence always produce resolve?

In the tension, Christ finds the disciple and provides answers. We are now free to choose him, love him, and follow him. We recognize that the kingdom tends to seep and hover over chaos and turn things around. We embrace that following Jesus means reflecting the Savior who chose to be incarnate. He decides to be present, not private.

Find all Life for Leaders devotions here. Explore what the Bible has to say about work at the High Calling archive, hosted by the unique website of our partners, the Theology of Work Project. Reflection on today’s Life for Leaders theme can be found here: The Gift of Identity.