Dr. John Avant

I WAS WRONG.

This may explain why we are in such a mess in our culture today.

We have forgotten the power of humility.

And that is a dangerous way for a leader to lead.

Last week, a video depicting the Obamas as apes was posted on the social media site of the President of the United States. I have read the president’s explanation and many different opinions on exactly how bad posting this video was.

The one thing I have not seen is anyone arguing that it was the RIGHT thing for the video to be posted.

So why doesn’t the president just say those three powerful words?

I was wrong.

Before I get too angry at others, it always helps me to look in the mirror. And if I’m honest, my sinful nature always causes me to first look for someone else to blame.

The President blamed a staffer.

But it was his responsibility!

It is his account.

But as of yet, he has not apologized.

I wish that he would. It would be strong and humble leadership.

And taking personal responsibility when we are wrong is not a small leadership issue.

In 1 Samuel 15, after being confronted by the prophet Samuel about disobeying God, Saul blamed the soldiers who were beneath him and made excuses.

And God took his kingdom away from him!

We have a different example of a leader in King David. From our perspective, he committed a much greater sin. He arranged the murder of a man to cover up his own adultery!

But when confronted, David chose differently from King Saul. In 1 Samuel 12:13, he said, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

And then he poured out his soul to God and to those who followed him:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭51‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭

David paid a terrible price for his sin but he kept the kingdom! And today we view David as one of the greatest leaders of history. 

This is why repentance and humility are such powerful character traits for a leader. 

I was in Ethiopia with a group of almost entirely African-American pastors and leaders when this offensive video was posted.  While in Ethiopia we had the opportunity to visit with families living on the edge of one of the largest garbage dumps on earth. These families eat the food from the garbage dump.  It is horror beyond description.

The garbage dump is really a mountain. A few years ago, it collapsed in a landslide and killed many people. Here is a picture I took of just a small part of it. If you look carefully, you’ll see people standing on it surrounded by birds.



One day, we sat in the tiny garbage dump home of a family who was happy to hear the message of the Gospel. Local believers had been ministering to the needs of this family, and we were able to join them. As we shared, the 17 year old daughter rejected the Gospel message.  When we asked why she said:   

"I am bad.”

What is so hard for presidents and people like me to see was completely clear to a teenage girl living in a garbage dump. 

Her humility opened the door for us to help her understand that God loved her despite her sin.  And before we left, she changed her mind and came to faith in Jesus. Her entire family then decided to follow Christ as well.
 

An amazing blessing that I will never forget.

I am praying for our President. I want him to lead well.

And I am praying for you and for me, that we will lead well, too.

You are not the President, but you are a leader, whether you know it or not.  Someone is looking to you.  God has given you influence that is unique to you. 

And you get to choose what you will do with it.  Choose transparent humility when you make mistakes because every leaders does make them.  Take the risk to say those three powerful words:

"I was wrong.”

Then you will receive an incredible promise from the word of God:

"Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up.” James 4:10

That is what real leadership looks like.


Dr. Avant is the founder and President of Passion Promise Ministries.