Being Human

I’m writing a paper for a Leadership class I’m taking. It’s on King David –specifically his humility. This summer, I read a book entitled, Humble Leadership: Being Radically Open to God’s Guidance and Grace. At the same time, the Lectionary (which I read devotionally) was working its way through 1 & 2 Samuel. It was natural that I would read David’s story with the rubric of humility superimposed. I truly believe that David’s humility was an integral part of his effectiveness as a leader, and as a man after God’s own heart.

Three weeks ago I preached at a nearby Presbyterian church. One of the elders asked me who my favorite Bible character is. I promptly replied, “David” (though I’m not one to usually have just one favorite, so it’s subject to change). He found my choice odd, since I’m a woman and David was a scoundrel and a womanizer.

While David did have these aspects to his personality, he was also a humble man. I love that about him. When David did wrong, he admitted it, repented and moved on. He was prepared to accept from God’s hand whatever it pleased God to give him. Check out what Eugene Peterson says about David in his commentary on 1 & 2 Samuel:

“In the long history of Israel, ‘king’ is not a term that excites admiration. Except for David. David’s life is narrated as pivotal in the history of salvation…. Notice the way the story keeps us immersed in and attentive to our human condition. For it is not easy to attend to ourselves; it is more attractive to try to rise above our human condition (like the angels?); it is easier to sink below our human condition and live like animals. But ‘human is unique, and we require a long growing up to realize who we are and the way we are before God (p.137).”

I’m not a scoundrel or a man-eater (isn’t that what you call the female version of a womanizer?), but like David, I’m far from perfect. My leadership at home, church and at work is affected by my sin and brokenness. But the great news is, that I can still be a woman after God’s own heart. So can you.

God has a preference for human agency, even though he knows how sinful and broken we are. Why? 2 Corinthians 4: 7 holds the answer: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” All praise to God, who uses vessels of clay like me and you to serve Him on this earth.