Upside Down and Backwards

Today is Palm Sunday. The day that Jesus accepted death. He knew that going to Jersualem meant the beginning of the end. He surrendered his will and chose to ride in on a donkey, signaling for all that humility and sacrifice are the ultimate leadership traits.

Jesus portrayed an upside down and backward way of leading. His followers were hopeful for power, might, and a taking back but Jesus paved another path.

Jesus was so confident and so secure that he met threats with openness and compassion instead of a fight. He focused on winning hearts, not accolades. He spent time with the poor, sick, and those abandoned by society rather than those who had status or control.

None of these things made sense to his followers, not even his closest disciples. In their minds they didn’t understand, but their hearts knew to trust. Some continued to follow and many defected as the teachings of Jesus became more and more radical. By radical, I mean against the cultural norm.

As I continue to study the life and teachings of Jesus, I see more and more clearly just how much our world needs this upside down and backwards way. Yet it is scary to step into that space. Open. Unprotected. Vulnerable.

Knowing you will be hurt. Knowing you will be misunderstood…even ridiculed or persecuted. Knowing you could and likely will lose a lot of what matters in this world, in our culture. And for what?

When I’ve been courageous enough to live and lead in this upside down and backwards way, my experience has been that what we get in return is everything. Connection, love, integrity, peace, joy, trust, faith…they all exist in the midst of pain, suffering, ridicule and sacrifice.

When we walk the path of Jesus, we get something real that expands our heart and fills our soul. And that…that is worth so much more than status, money, and power. But you have to have the courage to try it, and keep pursuing it day in and day out to know.

I pray that each of us have the courage to walk the upside down and backwards way today and in the days to come so we can experience the fullness of life and see a greater impact our leadership can have. A divine impact.