Matt's Muzings
STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE LINKAGE, ENGINE
January, 2006 Volume 8, Issue 61
Many years ago my cousin, Rich, and I were driving home in his Austin Healy. It was a light little sports car but it had a Corvette (V8/327) engine in it. That little car flew down the road when you gave it gas. That night there was a long straight stretch of road with what we called a “S” curse at the end, two 90 degree corners. Rich liked the straight road and he hit the gas and we were flying. He gave it one last hard punch for speed on the accelerator before he needed to slow down. That little car was groaning at the speed. Then to our horror, the throttle linkage stuck in the wide-open position. We were at the speed of sound and there was a hard left coming up fast. Rich only had a second to figure out what to do.
He quickly reached up and turned off the ignition key, braked and slowed down enough to make the corner and we coasted to a stop. (It was an old car and the steering wheel didn’t lock when you turned the engine off) We sat there in that car and shook at the thought of what could have happened. We finally fixed the throttle linkage and made it home.
STEERING WHEEL, THROTTLE LINKAGE, ENGINE
Now, imagine a leader driving a car. He is sitting in the drivers seat with his hands on the wheel and his foot is on the accelerator trying to give it gas. Only the linkage is broken.
We often think the magic of leadership is in the steering, the better we steer the better leader we are.
But there is a missing piece to this leader. His accelerator is not connected to the engine. The linkage is broken and only works once in a while. He knows something is wrong but every once in a while there is a surge of power and the car dashes forward and that is enough to keep him busy.
What a ridiculous thought that a leader could drive a car without control over the engine. (It almost cost Rich and I our life)
True, so… what is the purpose of this little example?
If the steering is the mind of the leader, what is the engine? Where does the power come from?
I was struck by a scripture recently in Eph 4, “…excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart.”
They couldn’t ‘think’ (ignorance) because their heart was hardened. Now, back to my example. The engine for a leader is the heart. The heart is the source of power, that part of us that moves the body. The very life of the car is the engine. The very life of a leader is his or her heart. The core of a body is its heart.
The linkage is how well we understand and work with our heart.
All the steering (thinking) in the world is of no use unless you are connected (linkage) to the engine (heart). In fact, it seems clear that you can’t steer (think) unless you first deal with issues in the engine (heart). It is not an either/or. But there is a clear sequence. If you miss this it could be very painful or even cost you your life.
Leaders must think clearly, that is the work of transformation or dealing with change. But in order to do this, they must, MUST, watch over, be connected to (via the linkage), work with, their heart and the heart of the team or organization.
What does the Word say about the heart?
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life… For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His… Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because - the LORD looks at the heart… Beware, lest your hearts be deceived and you turn away… Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me.”
How is the linkage to your heart? How is the heart of your team or organization? Do you know what is going on? Where is their pain or struggle? What is their passion? Have you felt it in yourself or touched it in others? Or are you just guessing? Have you sensed the heart of God for the situation you are in? Are you linked to Him?
I want to write more but it will have to wait until next month.
May the eyes of your heart be enlightened to know God in a new way this year.
May God richly bless you,
Matt and Celia
Family Matters:
Matt: We are doing well. I was just in Hawaii teaching in a DTS and that was good. I am off next week to teach in Scotland and then the International DTS center meeting in England. We really appreciate your prayers for wisdom these days.
Celia: Hawaii was a great family time and very special to see and be with Josh. What a treat it was to be with family and see some dear friends. It is now time to celebrate Chinese New Year. This is a big family occasion here in Singapore, like our Thanksgiving. I love all these holidays! I am moving forward with some details on the Children At Risk school to be held here in Singapore starting May 29th. I am also looking forward to an upcoming trip to China in March.
Josh: He is doing well. We got to see him many times while in Hawaii. He is busy working as usual. His truck is running well, what a pleasant
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