According to a survey regarding why employees left their employers, the top reason was a lack of trust in senior leaders, and "that caring, competent, and trustworthy senior leadership is the number one driver of employee engagement" (Re-Engage: How America's Best Places to Work Inspire Extra Effort in Extraordinary Times (2010) by Leigh Branham and Mark Hirschfeld). This reason surpassed others such as amount of pay, workplace culture, and workload. Honest, caring, and capable leaders can inspire dedication in others.
What is the top reason that inspires faithfulness among Christians? One may think of all the spiritual blessings he has such as the forgiveness of sins (cf. Ephesians 1:3). Or he may put his mind more on eternity than on the temporary trials he may be facing (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18). The case can be made for the consistent encouragement received from brothers and sisters in Christ (cf. Hebrews 3:12-13). These are all contributing factors. But I believe the top reason a Christian remains faithful is because of his leader, Jesus Christ.
This is what the writer of Hebrews states after he wrote about the faithfulness, or trustworthiness, of some Old Testament heroes (Hebrews 11:1-39). Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls (Hebrews 12:1-3). What kept Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob going? It was their faith, their trust in God Almighty.
Whoever the best, most caring, and trustworthy employer is today, he has nothing on Jesus Christ. Leaders can and will make mistakes, they can and will let people down, and they will overlook something that should not be overlooked because people are fallible. But Jesus will never let us down: And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin (1 John 3:5). In Him, there is no better place to look when we feel like quitting.
What did Jesus do to inspire our great trust in Him? He became flesh and blood like us, and suffered being tempted, so He could come to our aid when we are tempted (Hebrews 2:14-18). He can also sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). He is always present to intercede on our behalf before the Father (Hebrews 7:25-27). He said He will come a second time (Hebrews 9:24-28), and we know we can count on His promise. He died for us to redeem us from our transgressions by His own blood, even though the cost was very great, thereby becoming the Mediator of a new and better covenant (Hebrews 9:11-15). Does all this characterize a caring, competent, and trustworthy leader? Yes! So if you are thinking about giving up, please set your eyes on Jesus, who would not, did not, and has not given up on you.
Brotherly, Jamie
