Student Leadership: HonorSample

Day 3 — Live Free And Lead Well

Honor isn’t an outdated leadership principle, and it’s not limited to Joseph’s day in history.

Corrie Ten Boom survived the unimaginable. During World War II, her family was arrested for being a part of the Dutch underground, a secret network of people who helped Jews hide and escape from the Nazis. Corrie not only witnessed the death of her father and sister while in captivity, but she was also held as a prisoner at the Ravensbruck concentration camp. She experienced and saw some of the worst atrocities ever recorded in history.

Now, imagine surviving all that and finding yourself, years later, face to face with one of your most evil captors. For a movie director, this would have been the scene where the main character gets revenge. But Corrie pulled the ultimate plot twist and forgave the Nazi guard who used to torment her.

Sounds insane, right? But if honor is treating others how God sees them, then wouldn’t the ultimate show of honor be forgiveness?

When Joseph finally reunited with his brothers, it was a scene that would have had millions of Netflix viewers on the edge of their seats. Joseph was no longer a slave or a prisoner, but a ruler of Egypt. The ball was in his court. The power in his hands. He wasn’t their little brother anymore — he was a national leader. Revenge could have been his with one word. But like Corrie, Joseph chose forgiveness when he came face to face with the people who had hurt him most.

Before reuniting with his brothers, the Bible tells us time and time again that Joseph wept. This isn’t to say he let his feelings control him, but it proves Joseph didn’t ignore his feelings or suppress them. He honored his own emotions and allowed himself time to grieve and process. Both Corrie and Joseph were able to move forward in forgiveness after they acknowledged the hurt they felt.

You will struggle to move forward as a leader if you’re chained to grudges and bitterness. Corrie and Joseph forgave their tormentors because they were no longer tied to the wrongs of others and instead chose to focus on what God was doing through them. Because they were able to forgive those who did the worst to them, Corrie and Joseph were able to live free and lead well. And you can too.

What’s something you’re holding on to that may be holding you hostage? Place it before God today and ask Him what steps you need to take to start healing and moving forward in your calling.