Lead in the art of forgiveness

“Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness or

else forgiving another.”

-- Jean Paul Richter

Last week I attended a leadership conference. For 2 1/2 days I

sang, prayed, took notes, laughed, cried and took more notes at an

event designed to motivate us to develop leadership qualities in

whatever roles God has called us to fulfill.

It was my first experience with video broadcasting, and though

originally skeptical, I now believe in the potential of positive

technology to connect people across many miles. There were satellite

locations across the country and some in Canada with estimates of

27,000 people participating in the same event. The combination of

great technology, graphics, music and speakers was so well done that

I frequently felt I was actually in Illinois at the host church,

Willow Creek, instead of the satellite location I attended at

Mariners Church in Irvine.

What I found far more impressive were the messages from people

with well-known names, as well as those I’d never heard of before.

One idea was repeated in different forms and from different faces.

More than ever before, our world needs men and women to live lives of

integrity at home and in their workplace. Our world needs leaders who

can be trusted.

Some of the leadership qualities we were challenged to develop

were honesty, humility and accountability. Other characteristics were

the ability to get along with and serve others, to be aware of our

strengths and weaknesses, to operate from a spiritual and moral base,

and to be willing to be team players and team builders.

These traits weren’t simply stated as great nouns and adjectives

to add to our physical resumes, but as qualities to strive to bring

to reality in our lives.

The speakers shared failures and successes with surprising

frankness. They also explained how God used those times to bring

different results. Most of them also touched on the incredible power

of forgiveness.

I walked outside during a break and passed people talking on

cellular phones, probably checking in at work or at home. One man

seated on a concrete wall looked down, but I heard him say, “I’m at a

conference, and I couldn’t let any more time go by without calling

and asking for your forgiveness.” He continued talking in a hushed

voice.

It was obviously a private moment, and I went over to a table to

pray for the young man and whoever was on the other end of the line.

I looked back once and saw him nod his head and smile. I thanked God

for the miracle that seemed to be taking place.

I also started a list of people I need to ask forgiveness of, as

well as to forgive. Will it be hard? Probably. Will it hurt my pride?

Probably. When I’ve asked for forgiveness and been granted it, it is

beautifully freeing. When others have asked for my forgiveness, it is

also beautifully freeing. These times have led to deeper

relationships.

The world needs people who possess leadership qualities, including

the ability to forgive and to be forgiven. God loves to forgive and

he loves forgivers. Should we, could we, follow his lead?

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.