Directing Energy and Correcting Those Who Adore You

If you’ve cultivated any amount of adoration or respect within a circle, you have a responsibility, and are the one best-suited, to correct that cohort’s negative tendencies.

I’ve been following Michael Foster for some time – since his It’s Good to Be a Man podcast and attendant book. As time has gone on I’ve come to realize he is a savvy operator and has a great deal of sense.

He just wrote this post One Simple Trick ( How to find more time, improve your friendships, lower your stress). Basically the main idea is to stay out of quarrels that aren’t your own.

Why I find that post, and other recent ones from him (examples: large families, dating, and reactive externalism) so fascinating is that he is using his social capital in the reformed world to nudge and correct common issues with his adherents. This is amazing and so helpful.

He is being a responsible leader.

The Source of Correction

You’re a recent “convert” to Reformed theology, you have zeal for days and are as cage stage as they get. If some progressive evangelical mainliner tries to correct some overcorrection or nonsense that you are spouting, you will (somewhat understandably) write them off. Their rebuke to you may even be correct!

However, someone you respect – who you view as “in camp”, offers the same rebuke and you will receive it far better and it may do you some good if you have a modicum of humility and meekness.

Your Responsibility as a Leader

We’re not all social media influencers or leading public organizations. But I submit that we still need to think about where we have influence and take seriously a responsibility we might have to admonish, discipline, and encourage those looking up to us.

This is a stewardship issue and to whom much influence has been given, much will be required.

For most of us this might be our kids, spouse, close friends, a small work circle, or even extended family.

A word of rebuke unsaid can also be an implied acceptance.

Take stock of your own influence – are you avoiding a responsibility to correction?

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