Leadership and the Threat of Malice

I often consider writings – especially spiritual writings – in light of leadership.  And lately, I’ve been reflecting on the life and circumstances of a great Jewish leader.  He is often touted, in certain circles, as a pre-eminent model of leadership (and administration).  His name was Nehemiah and he lived in the B.C. time period.  Can you believe a culture/people group with that much longevity?

When Nehemiah had committed himself to a massive vision – re-founding the city of Jerusalem along with re-instituting the spiritual practices of the Jews at that time – it was then that opposition rose against him.  A man named Tobiah, with malicious intent, threatened Nehemiah by portraying his leadership as self-serving and power hungry.

Starbuck

Starbuck was no crusader after perils; in him courage was not a sentiment, but a thing simply useful to him and always at hand upon all mortally practical occasions.  ~Ishmael of Starbuck the first mate, Moby Dick

The boy from ‘Never Ending Story’ came to mind today.  Stealing away to a dark corner of the dingy school, Bastian seeks soul refuge from the very institution, which designed to educate, has nevertheless been ignoring.  So I, took a break from the last few weeks of activity.  Two weekend academies and 4:30am weekday shifts at the bucks has been cumulatively wearisome.

Moby Dick has been a pleasant application of my mental energy.  The Italian word for entertainment, as I was told by a friend, is Divertire – meaning diversion.  Attentiveness to the lines of Moby Dick is more of a concerted directive for me though.  How fascinating that I resist learning and enrichment!  I was interested to learn that Starbuck is the first mate on Captain Ahab’s ship, the Pequod.  The description and others like it has me referring to ‘cleaning the ship’ during my part time work as I continue on with the coaching.