Buckley Air Force Base is 12 miles from our house. This means that frequently we are on the flight pattern for fighter jets that are taking off. The roar is unmistakable; powerful and fierce.
While the noise created from the powerful jet engines is captivating, the visual image of the airplane is illusive. The reason for this is simple. When I am interrupted by the sound of a fighter, I immediately look to the location where I am hearing the sound. The problem is that the incredible speed of the airplane propels it well ahead of the sound. If I’m chasing the airplane by following the sound, I’ll never catch up.
The flight path of the jet precedes the auditory impact that it leaves. The airplane is “gone” by the time we recognize its presence.
I’m convinced that this description matches well the life lived by Jesus… and it instructs our lives as well.
The power force of Jesus’ earthly existence… in fact the sonic boom of His love, His teaching and His behavior roar through history long after His image is gone; long after His body ascended into the eternal presence of His Father.
Godly, honorable, humble leaders are most distinctly known by the intensity of the roar that trails behind a life well lived, invisibly…
If you look at the profound impact that significant leaders have had throughout history, the sound will most often be far from the individual themselves… the transformation trails behind. Real change lingers behind the catalyst that creates it.
A leader that expects the noise to surround his or her life is not really interested in progress… they’re interested in fame and recognition. A servant leader understands and expects that it will be long after he or she is gone that people will most appreciate the full impact and force of their life…
It’s not until Jesus announces, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” that the sound will catch up to the image; when the lag time is gone; when the invisible is brought to light.
Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. — Matthew 6:1
Find joy in living a life that creates a roar miles and miles behind you. We have the perfect teacher.
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