He may look content here, but don't be fooled - it's a waxwork! Whatever we may think of the lifestyle
or the leadership of the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, or the way he has
been made to step down, none of us can have missed the race to become the next
leader of the Conservative party, and the new PM. The news media are in a
feeding frenzy, poring over each candidate and their credentials. Social media
is abuzz with speculation and options, and the only thing that seems certain is
that the British people will have a new leader soon, probably by September.
In all this, Christians should
remember the wise advice of St Paul who urged his followers to pray for ‘kings
and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives’. He did
so in a day when the government was in the hands of cruel emperors and their
delegates, who were overwhelmingly godless and immoral, violent, exploitative, and
abusive. Yet, Paul is so convinced of the power of prayer that he urges his
readers, and us, to make praying for secular leaders a priority. As the
incoming British Prime Minister faces problems like the soaring cost of living,
cataclysmic climate change, war in Europe and its subsequent food shortages,
not to mention the ongoing pandemic, he or she will need our prayers more than
ever.
But leadership is so much more than
dealing with issues, urgent and important though they may be. Leading ourselves
can also be a great challenge. Just getting through each day without giving in
to fear, despair, and hopelessness can be a huge task. Coping with change in
society, church and family life can leave us feeling all at sea. Choices and
personal morality may seem so much more demanding as the boundaries of
behaviour appear to be moving. But Jesus offers us his leadership one day at a
time, built on his integrity, sacrifice, promises, and his continuing presence
with us in all our struggles. He reveals a programme of love, forgiveness and
personal transformation that can affect whole nations. A leader like that gets
my vote every time!
