As a family, we have been fortunate to travel to many places in the United States. Some of these were settled before the United States existed as a country. Jamestown. Williamsburg. Plymouth. Santa Fe. Boston. Philadelphia. Each time we go, it is a reminder that even though our country is nearly 250 years old, there was still a time when there was no “United States.”

Each of these settlements had their differences – yet they had many similarities. A group of people wanted change and sought it out. They then figured out life as best as they could, established a society, chose a set of leaders to guide them, and focused on survival.

We spend a lot of time thinking and worrying about our leaders. Will they do what we want them to do? Who will replace them? If they disobey the rules that are in place, will they be held responsible?

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 2:12-14: Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the king’s successor be like? He will do what has already been done. And I realized that there is an advantage to wisdom over folly, like the advantage of light over darkness. The wise person has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also knew that one fate comes to them both.

Solomon says it doesn’t matter. This has happened before. And these things will happen again. That may be comforting or concerning depending on your outlook of the leader, but that’s not up to you. It’s ultimately up to the leader themselves. It will be better if the leader is wise, but there’s no guarantee. And most importantly, whether the leader is wise or foolish, they won’t be the leader forever.

In my lifetime, I have chosen to respect the authority of my spouse, parents, pastors, government officials, school personnel, and work leadership. I have also been a parent and a leader of team members at work and in volunteer roles. It’s great to be a leader! But eventually that role will fade or end altogether.

In the meantime, ask God to help you be a wise leader showing your team the light of God’s love. Be the type of leader that models the God-directed way to lead.

By Jason Grace

Jason is a software engineering manager. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and have been active members at Immanuel for over 23 years. His service includes roles in the deacon ministry, children's ministry, technical team, financial coaching, and leading Bible studies. He loves traveling with his wife and family throughout the US.