Super sidekicks

With every leader, there stands a great ally...

Leadership is a concept continually praised in the Christian community. There are hundreds of Christian books, messages and conferences about leadership. Young children at Sunday schools, Christian schools and kids’ ministries are encouraged to lead. We often hear about the leaders and heroes of the Bible—people like David, Joshua and Moses.

Even in secular society, leadership is highly valued. In movies, being a leading lady is viewed as better than the best friend (e.g. The Holiday). Starring as the lead actor trumps being the wingman. (What little boy wants to be Robin for Halloween when he could be Batman?) College students dream of working in the C-suite of corporate America. When was the last time you heard someone say, “I’d love to work in middle management—or better yet, the bottom of the totem pole”?

Leadership IS important. But before any one of us is a leader, we first have to learn how to follow. And beyond following, I think we should learn how to be allies for the leaders in our lives. However, I haven’t heard much about what it takes to be a good ally—a super sidekick, if you will.

Why become a super sidekick?

Being a super sidekick is important because I don’t know of anyone who is a leader in every aspect of his/her life. For example, a woman could own her own company, but she may also be a wife, U.S. citizen and volunteer at a non-profit organization. She’s definitely a leader—but she also submits to the leadership of her husband, the police and non-profit leaders.

Caleb the “Let’s go for it!” sidekick

The idea for this post started last night when I was reading my Bible and came across some verses about Caleb in the Old Testament. Remember him? He’s probably best known as Joshua’s super sidekick. Though 10 other guys looked at the Promised Land and basically said, “It’s impossible for us to take this land”, he was the one guy who stood with Joshua and said, “Let’s take this territory. We can do it!” (Numbers 13)

I haven’t really heard much about Caleb. Joshua’s “As for me and my house” speech is what's often quoted in sermons and books featuring this dynamic duo.

But the Bible says some really cool things about Caleb, the “let’s go for it!” sidekick.

After the scouting incident, God said to Moses:

"But my servant Caleb—this is a different story.

He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately.

I'll bring him into the land that he scouted and his children will inherit it. (Numbers 14:24)

And Caleb says (and does) some pretty cool things himself. This is the passage I discovered last night. Here’s what he said 45 years after the Promised Land scouting trip:

"...I was forty years old when Moses the servant of God

sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land.

And I brought back an honest and accurate report.

My companions who went with me discouraged the people,

but I stuck to my guns, totally with God, my God.

That was the day that Moses solemnly promised,

'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance,

you and your children's, forever.

Yes, you have lived totally for God.'

Now look at me: God has kept me alive, as he promised.

It is now forty-five years since God spoke this word to Moses,

years in which Israel wandered in the wilderness.

And here I am today, eighty-five years old!

I'm as strong as I was the day Moses sent me out.

I'm as strong as ever in battle, whether coming or going.

So give me this hill country that God promised me.

You yourself heard the report, that the Anakim were there with their great fortress cities.

If God goes with me, I will drive them out, just as God said." (Joshua 14:-12)

So here are a few of the things I love about Caleb:

• He was gutsy. He stood by his friend Joshua and stood up for what he believed in—even when it wasn’t popular.
  


• He trusted totally in God. He continually believed God’s promises…even when it took a long time to see them (hello, 45 years!).
  


• He was strong. Caleb was a tough guy in his own right (how many 85 year old warriors do you know?). Caleb’s strength wasn’t just physical—it was the strength of courage and character.
  

Jonathan the “I’m with you!” sidekick

Another super sidekick? David’s friend Jonathan.

Most people LOVE David (the guy after God’s own heart). I’ll be honest—I love David, too, but let’s face it—he was kind of a drama king. David had this passionate artist personality. He loved to worship God. But when he was down, he was REALLY down (and to be fair, he went through some crazy bad stuff).

But what about Jonathan? To be David’s sidekick, I think Jonathan must have had a more thoughtful, easygoing personality. He was likely the rational match to David’s emotional passion. I imagine him saying something like, “Yeah, it sucks that those guys are chasing you. But remember when you were just a kid watching sheep and that HUGE bear twice your size came after you? God helped you then—and the guys now don’t have claws, sharp teeth or sheep breath.”

Jonathan was this amazing friend through tough times. He was placed in a really tough position—his father Saul (another emotional roller coaster) wanted to kill David. Jonathan could have easily joined the “I hate David” club...or he could have been president. After all, Jonathan was next in line to become king—and David’s anointing by the prophet Samuel threatened that position. Jonathan had to choose to stand by his family or his friend.

I think ultimately, Jonathan realized his loyalty was first to God and God’s plan, so he chose David.

The Bible has some truly incredible descriptions of their friendship:

“Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” (I Samuel 18:1)

“Jonathan said to David, ‘Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you.’" (I Samuel 20:4)

"And Saul's son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.
'Don't be afraid," he said. "My father Saul will not lay a hand on you.
You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you.
Even my father Saul knows this."
The two of them made a covenant before the LORD. (I Samuel 23:16-17)

What kind of sidekick am I?

I’ve always known I’m called to be a leader, but this mini-study on Biblical sidekicks prompts me to wonder what kind of sidekick I should be. I don’t really have a specific answer. I hope to have the unshakable “I trust God!” strength of Caleb and the selfless, loyal love of Jonathan. The Bible doesn't talk about them much--their stories are simple. But practicing how they followed is a tough challenge—especially for leaders.