We’re examining destiny. You have one. Waiting for you. As Buber says, you must pursue it with your whole being, not knowing where it waits. You have a ‘great will’ that wants to live a noble, heroic, God-honoring, and history-impacting life.
And, you have a ‘little will’ that above all desires to:
Look good.
Feel good.
Be right.
Be in control.
These motivations I call “The Formidable Four”.
They show up everywhere.
They undermine a pastors’ resolve to lead clearly, consistently, and courageously. They invite congregations to focus inwardly, even while the community—where they’ve been placed as God’s provision—drifts further from Christ. They motivate elders to gesture at change rather than do the hard work of maturing disciples who bear fruit as a way of life.
In my life, the “little will” dissuades me from initiating conversations about financial support for the ministry to which I’m called. It presses me to downplay the urgency to enroll pastors in new reFocusing Networks, when my momentum begins to wane. It cautions me to play safe in coaching, rather than offend a client by illuminating a character flaw that is undercutting her leadership. And after an unusually intense week (like last week), it tempts me to blow off writing this blog!
Buber’s ‘great will’ and ‘little will’ wrestle within us.
Save or spend.
Walk or take the car.
Stand up for what you know is right or compromise to keep peace.
Pander to the preferences of your congregation or lead them to serve others selflessly.
Develop the character of around you or settle for being liked.
We see the conflict between great and little will played out in US politics.
While campaigning, candidates’ towering rhetoric calls to our ‘great will’.
It extols the virtue of selflessness, challenging us to forfeit our petty comforts in the short run to establish or protect or defend something noble and honorable and necessary and good for the generations that follow. It speaks of great accomplishments and great sacrifice and uniting for the benefit of the nation.
Then, post-election, the ‘little will’ takes over.
Its priority is whatever will please the most people now. Minimize pain, discomfort, and anxiety immediately—no matter how it infantilizes the population, rips apart our social fabric, and devastates those who’ll inherit the mess.
This blog is not about politics.
It’s about you.
Which will wins?
Coaching distinctions #44.doc
I was struck by your observation of how in political campaigns there is rhetoric that connects with our ‘big wills’ and than, in ‘real life’ people settle for the ‘little will.’ This same principle applies in the pulpit. It’s sometimes easier to stand up and cast a grand vision. Putting it into practice is a lot costlier. It reminds me of Jesus going to the cross. It wasn’t about theory and comfort anymore. It was a test of His love walked out in the particulars. He was found faithful. May the same be said of us.
Thanks, Darren, for your keen eye and ready heart! Your observations remind me why it’s so important that pastors LEAD, not just instruct, comfort, MC events, and inspire.
The Church in North America, in my view, is due for a massive re-orientation (as I always say) from being purveyors of ‘religious education & entertainment’ to being people-developers who advance the Kingdom of God wherever they have influence.
If Friedman is correct, the leader’s visible example–ESPECIALLY when facing opposition, disappointment, and difficulty–is the most important thing an effective leader does. Hence the priority we’ve made of developing our “being”, of growing in personal intimacy with Christ, and of functioning on the basis of spiritual authority (not expertise, chutzpah, relational equity, or one’s title/position).
As the heat gets turned up on the Church in the US, the great educators and entertainers may discover that the masses aren’t willing to pay the price of public ridicule and financial loss just to learn and enjoy religious programming.
THEN, the Church will look for men and women of substance, depth of character, unhidden brokenness, and an unshakable willingness to trust almighty God– no matter what. [Dan 3:17-18] This is what I’ve given my life to. This is what these blogs are intended to provoke. This is why I facilitate the reFocusing process with pastors like you, brother.