It was Christmas 1776 and General Washington boldly stood in the bow of the boat as it made its way across the Delaware River. Surrounding him are several men rowing and steering the craft around chunks of ice. There is even one soldier half-way out of the boat pushing against one of the large “icebergs”. And then there is future President James Monroe grasping the American flag, battling the wind and cold. It is indeed a dramatic scene…one that would make a great centerpiece for an IMAX movie, with amazing THX surround sound. Yes, it would be remarkable… if it were true. This scene instead, was captured in a painting by Emanuel Leutze. Oh, for sure Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas, leading his army to victory the next day against British and Hessian forces camped in and around Trenton, New Jersey. None of that is disputable. Were there ice chunks? Absolutely. It is well documented that it was. And it was extremely windy, making the water very rough to row across. But Washington surely was not standing in the striking pose as he is pictured. The weather conditions would not have allowed it. No, these certainly were not still waters.
A year later and once again the weather is not playing nice for Washington and the army. It is the winter at Valley Forge, and the general has his hands full. He spends an exorbitant amount of time communicating with Congress (yes, the same Congress that would slow walk five years of pay for soldiers) about the lack of supplies, and empowering other generals to help better prepare the army for the springtime campaigns. By the time Spring arrived, however, nearly 2,000 men had died from disease on those snow-covered, fields. No, these certainly were not peaceful, green pastures.
Back in Psalm 23, David tells us that the Lord makes those who follow him to lie down in green pastures. So, are we take this to mean that God is forcibly pushing individuals to take a break and lay down? Absolutely not, but rather he leads those into moments of much needed respite. In fact, the next words David writes is how the Lord “leads me” beside still waters. Why does David use these particular imageries to convey the message of peace and tranquility? Perhaps because we are drawn to such scenes.
I know when I personally need to think peaceful thoughts, I close my eyes, and in my mind, I see Julie Andrews running around with seven kids with weird names, dressed in clothes made from window curtains, singing “doe, a deer, a female deer”….I really don’t, but that makes an interesting thought. But seriously, who doesn’t love clothes made from household draperies? And those hills, which, by the way, are alive (at least that is what Maria sings), are probably not even a pasture, but whatever. I’m the one telling the story, so it’s a pasture.
Alright, the whole point of Psalm 23:2 is to remind us that we are not superhuman, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves. We are designed to need rest, a break, a breather, a moment of calm. If you want to be a leader, you better schedule some down time for those who call you boss, supervisor, or whatever title you hold. And while you are at it, you better schedule down time for yourself…for two reasons. First, you need it. David realized that. It’s why he wrote about relaxing in the pastures. Second, you need to lead by example. That’s what a genuine leader does…he or she leads from the front and by example.
Washington also realized those two key leadership points. It’s why he stayed with his men as they traversed the brutally cold, icy waters of the Delaware River, and the harsh, snowy fields of Valley Forge. Leading by example, and from the front, whether it is alongside still or stormy waters, or in green or snowy pastures, is the only way to go.
Faith, Leadership, and History 