Returning to the Blueprint
It is easy to look at the United States today and feel that we have lost our way. Our government and its leaders often seem entirely driven by money, ego, and the pursuit of raw power.
At the same time, we see groups like the Christian Right pushing loudly to make America a “Christian nation.” But if you look closely at their actions, the version of Christianity they practice looks very different from what was actually shown to us by the Divine. When we completely turn away from true moral values and allow greed and self-interest to rule us, we get leadership like Donald Trump’s—a style based on division, personal power, and the desire to be served rather than to serve.
If we want to fix our broken foundation, we have to look past the political noise. If there is a divine power, and if Jesus was part of a divine plan, then we need to look closely at the historical Jesus to understand what real leadership actually looks like.
The King Who Wasn’t Wanted
To understand the historical Jesus, we have to start with the roots of the story. The Bible was started by the Jewish people, whose scriptures laid the groundwork and pointed toward a coming leader—a Messiah.
But when the Divine finally chose a king, it wasn’t the kind of leader people expected.
- The Expectation: Most people wanted a powerful, fierce military king with a sword who would crush their Roman oppressors and bring immediate political dominance.
- The Reality: The Divine sent Jesus, a humble builder who preached love, forgiveness, and equality.
Because Jesus did not fit their mold of a worldly, aggressive ruler, his message was rejected by the majority of his own community. He wasn’t wanted by the establishment because he refused to use violence or seek political control. In the end, they had him executed. Today, many are still waiting for a different, forcefully powerful king, missing the fact that true, divine power looks completely different from human empire.
The Blueprint of Real Power
The historical Jesus gave us a clear view of what the Divine actually values. He completely flipped the human definition of power upside down. He showed us that real power isn’t about controlling others; it is about controlling oneself to serve others.
If we want to be true leaders in our families, our communities, and our nation, Jesus gave us the exact rules to follow:
The Leader as a Servant: Those who want to lead must serve, not be served. True authority is earned through humility, not forced through fear.
The Golden Rule: Treat everyone exactly the way you want to be treated. There are no exceptions based on race, wealth, or status.
The Dual Mandate: Remember our true purpose for being on this earth. We are here to be stewards of this planet and caretakers of its people. Everyone is our neighbor.
Flawed Humans, Great Leaders
Living up to this blueprint is incredibly difficult, and no human being does it perfectly. However, American history gives us examples of leaders who, despite their human flaws, did their best to model their leadership after these selfless principles.
Abraham Lincoln
Faced with a nation tearing itself apart, Lincoln did not choose the path of revenge or pride. He led with deep humility, carrying the pain of the country on his shoulders. In his finest moments, he spoke of malice toward none and charity for all, choosing reconciliation over division.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
During the Great Depression, when millions of Americans were starving and hopeless, FDR used the power of the government not to enrich the wealthy, but to protect the vulnerable. He understood that a nation’s strength is measured by how it treats its poorest citizens, guiding the country through its darkest economic hours with empathy and service.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
A legendary military general who became president, Eisenhower showed great restraint. He famously warned the nation against the growing power of the “military-industrial complex.” He knew that true peace and strength didn’t come from endless weapons and corporate greed, but from a balanced, honest government that cared for its citizens.
Finding Our Shared Path
We are living in a time of deep spiritual and political confusion. But the original message has not changed. True leadership does not demand a holy brand, huge bank accounts, or golden thrones. It requires a quiet commitment to truth, integrity, and the well-being of others.
Whether we are looking at our history, our government, or our own personal lives, the question remains the same: Are we going to follow the path of power and self-interest, or are we going to step onto the path of service?
The choice is ours. If we want to heal our nation, we must remember our purpose. We must protect our planet, care for all people as our neighbors, and measure our leaders not by how many people bow to them, but by how many people they faithfully serve.
