Tip of My Iceberg

She’s an unassuming leader who always follows her heart. Her petite size and youthful appearance can fool people into thinking she doesn’t know what she wants.

Looks can be deceiving.

Kolly is not quite two, but her personality embraces others with a joy and enthusiasm that is contagious. She loves people and comes to life in crowds.

She has a knack for getting people to do things her way.

We were on a walk in the Orlando Wetlands, which boasted a plethora of alligators and birds for those who wandered the paths with binoculars. At the end of our walk, we were relaxing. Kolly squatted down on the sidewalk, looked around at her relatives, and ordered, “Sit.” Meaning squat like she was.

We all chose to follow suit. Then she did a yoga move, and everyone mimicked her.

She experienced the joy of leading from simply being who she is.

Today we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. and the legacy of peace and hope he left the rest of us.

       photo courtesy of Unseen Histories on Unsplash

Dr. King was a Baptist minister who achieved more progress toward racial equality in America in the brief tenure of his leadership than had happened in America the preceding 350 years. Because of his faith and commitment to the hopeful collaboration of all people, he was an exceptional yet unassuming leader.

He was a transformational leader who inspired those who followed him. He didn’t use people to get himself ahead; he developed relationships with those he taught and led. King didn’t condemn those who didn’t agree with him; he chose to use peace and forgiveness to make his point.

Dr. King looked at people, not as different, but as community. To be our best we need to work together.

In his “American Dream” speech on June 6, 1961, he stated, “I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be.” To be our best, we need to work together.

He understood the parameters of power. “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”

Love is foundational to create unity among a world mired in the confusion of different and divisiveness.

Jesus reflected the same attitude. He led in love, seeking to help others to experience the grace and forgiveness of God.

“And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19

Dr. King understood the unlimited love and power of God, and he led from a place of hope and faith. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in October, 1964, making an impact with who he was, his character and integrity.

Jesus led by His character as well. How fascinating it is that those who lead in love are often overlooked because they don’t push selfish agendas or seek to make it all about themselves.

Both were humble, unassuming leaders.

Kolly, with her exuberance and youth, loves the idea of having others do what she tells them to do.

Dr. King and Jesus are both examples of gracious compassion, offering loving alternatives to the harshness of a world which wants to control everything around them.

What kind of leader attracts you?