Letting Down Our Heroes

We recently had our 15th year anniversary celebration as a church.

Bill Hybels came to speak to us and it was incredible.

One of the things he mentioned was that he had to go against his father’s wishes to start his church.  He detailed the painful discussion and the painful years after.  During his talk it dawned on me that this is a common theme amongst many of the mature leaders I know.

At some point, all the leaders had made a break from  their mentors, bosses, fathers, whoever…In order to do what God has called them to do.

At the same time I was struggling with a decision.

The details aren’t important.  It was WAY smaller of a deal than what Hybels discussed…but in a very small way, it was similar.

That being said though…it was still really tough for me.  I don’t like letting people down…especially people I respect and love.  What is important is that I knew to make the decision I needed to make, and follow through with it, I was going to have to let someone down.  Someone above me…someone I respect…someone I don’t want to let down.

It was a tough couple of weeks.

Here’s my question for  you…

How do you know?

How do you know that this is the time to break away?

How do you know it’s not just pride or lack of respect for your authority?

How do you know your not just trying to get your way and something bigger is going on here?

I’ve started a list to help…it’s not done…but from what I’ve seen I think it’s a good start.

1.  It’s torture -  This is not a fun process.  It is not something that you look forward to or get excited about.  The decision is tough, the conversation is tougher.  While we all handle disappointing people differently, and we all have to disappoint people to lead, this is not just anybody.  It is simply tough to let down Heroes, fathers, friends, and mentors.

2.  It won’t go away -  In the midst of your decision you can’t put it to rest.  Many times if I want to go one direction and this authority figure wants to go another, things can get very frustrated.  But at some point, I mentally say…”Oh well…maybe next time.”  That doesn’t happen in this case.

3.  You don’t have to undermine your authority to do it - One of the greatest gifts Andy Stanley gave me as one of my leaders is this simple quote.

“You won’t ever have to violate God’s principles in order to follow God’s will.”

If your idea of making a stand includes undermining your Authority…it is not God’s will.  If you have to disobey a direct order from your authority, it’s not time yet.  Or, part of this process may be that you need to leave your position in order to do what you believe God wants you to do.   Wow!  If that’s the case, you really are in the midst of some serious conviction and you need to call a bunch of the wisest people you know.

So…How else do you know it’s time to let your heroes down?