President Teddy Roosevelt made this observation about another leader:
“He is evidently a man who takes color from his surroundings. He was an excellent man under me, and close to me. For eighteen months after his election he was a rather pitiful failure, because he had no real strong man on whom to lean, and yielded to the advice of…the different corporation lawyers who have his ear, and various similar men” (Colonel Roosevelt, p. 102).
While it’s prudent to take counsel from wise people (Proverbs 13:20; 20:18), it’s pitiful to take color from our surroundings.
May those of us entrusted with spiritual leadership lean on Jesus to give us strength in our weakness. May we lead with conviction not as chameleons.
Rick and Linda Reed 