This definition of what a Hebraic leader does struck me: “A Hebraic leader understands his/her power and ability to shape history and seeks to wield that power for the honor of God and the benefit of his neighbor.” There is so much wisdom in considering our neighbors – the people around us in the present day – in light of the generations and cultures that came before us as well as the final judgement that is to come. I am reminded of Edmund Burke, who so emphasized importance of the legacy that those before us have left, and the legacy we are leaving for posterity. We are connected and affected by the actions of the past and the present.
I love the idea that history is an old house that we commit to caring for simply because we love it. As Christians, we come from such a rich history of Jewish faith – we are standing on the shoulders of giants. This gives us a framework to operate out of and so many examples of Hebraic leaders from the past. Our history grounds us, even as we look to the needs around us and the future eternal value that our present-day actions can bring – that we are making history even now.
