God's goal for all Christians is spiritual maturity. By following Jesus' example, we can learn to lead.

Part 3: Isaiah 6:1-8

A powerful vision

About six o'clock one morning I stood in prayer with an elderly church member who was about to undergo surgery. His wife and daughters held hands with me around his hospital bed and prayed. We knew the intricate procedure would last for several hours, testing the fragile body of this elderly pilgrim.

The patient asked to speak with me privately before being taken from his room to the surgical area. He told me of his love for God and of the blessings that had enriched his life. He acknowledged the support of his loving wife and daughters. Then he assured me of his strong trust in God.

"Reverend," he said, "I'm not new to God's work. I have been on this path a long time and in this position of sickness on several occasions. I have seen the Lord and I know the power of God's Word. Whatever happens, everything will be all right."

His assurance emerged from 80 years of life experience. He admitted he learned more about the Almighty in times of adversity than in moments of comfort.

The prophet Isaiah, who captured a vision of God in a moment of adversity, writes: "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple" (6:1).

The death of King Uzziah made an impact on Isaiah. A prominent figure in the history of Judah, King Uzziah inherited the throne at age 16 from his father, Amaziah. He was an exemplary leader who led his people with a conviction driven by God-consciousness.

During his 52-year reign Uzziah broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh and Ashod in the territory of Judah's enemy, the Philistines. Another long-time enemy people, the Ammonites, brought tribute to Uzziah, because he had become very powerful. His fame spread as far as the border of Egypt (2 Chronicles 26).

Some commentators suggest that Isaiah was the nephew of King Uzziah. At any rate, Isaiah admired him as a man and as a leader.

However, King Uzziah's pride eventually led to his downfall. He was disobedient to the Lord while in the temple. He became afflicted with leprosy, which eventually led to his death.

Isaiah surely must have felt disappointed in his mentor and friend, yet he continued participating in the worship ceremonies of his people. While standing with the priests between the porch and the altar, Isaiah gazed through the thick smoke of incense into the innermost chamber of the temple. At that moment Isaiah "saw the Lord" in the darkness of the holy place where it was believed that God dwelled.

This vision forced Isaiah to engage in self-reflection. Don't you hear him asking, "Where can I go?" "What shall I do?" "How am I ever going to make it?"

He discovered his faults and the inadequacies of the people around him. In the process Isaiah discovered God's power. His experience illustrates how moments of strife can make us look inward while summoning the power of the Divine to lead us forward.

Spiritual leaders know that God is available to them in all circumstances—even in moments of indecision, doubt and confusion. Darkness is not an indication of God's absence. Effective Christian leadership is built on claiming the power of God in our lives, despite our inability to see our way through the most dismal circumstances. Often God can only use us in times of vulnerability, when we unashamedly declare our need for help.

Christian spiritual leadership is grounded in the vision of a God who helps us deal with the questions and barriers life puts in our path. As leaders we must manifest the highest quality of faith—not because we have the answers, but because we trust God, from whom the answers will come.