Chip and Dan Heath have written a great leadership book
entitled Switch. In it they talk about the forces that
influence our lives and particularly the decisions we make, both as individuals
and groups. The analogy they use is an
Elephant and a Rider. The Elephant is
the emotional side (the heart) and the Rider is the rational side (the head). Here is how they explain it:
Perched atop the Elephant, the Rider holds the reins and seems to be the leader. But the Rider’s control is precarious because the Rider is so small relative to the Elephant. Anytime a six-ton Elephant and the Rider disagree about which direction to go, the Rider is going to lose. He’s completely overmatched (Kindle 96).
The Rider may have the best information along with the
best of intentions, but he can only control the Elephant for so long unless the
Elephant wants to go where the Rider is trying to lead him.
I love this analogy.
It seems to have so many applications in so many areas of our
lives. I just want to think about the
spiritual side for a moment though.
In Romans 12:1-2 Paul urges us to “offer
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true
and proper worship. Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind.”
In Psalm 144:3-4 the Psalmist prays, “Set
a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to
busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me
not eat of their delicacies!”
Both passages talk about conforming our head (Rider) and
our heart (Elephant) to the things of God.
Both also make clear that this is a supernatural work first and
foremost, but one where we have a role to play by surrendering our will and walking
in obedience.
But here is the question:
Why do we have such a difficult time getting
our Rider and our Elephant going in the same direction? Why do our lives reflect the lyrics of that
old hymn, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love?”
Answering this question leads me to a second one:
How do we direct better direct our Rider toward
the things of God and give our Elephant a passionate desire to follow?
What lessons has God been teaching you?
Reading comments from readers -about the book, found an interesting comment..something like,"Great metaphor for the ride of our lives. As for me the lesson also being that the elephant needs to trust the rider--much as the rider needs to accept his limitations." Not real sure what that says, but sounds interesting. Helen Murray
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