We Serve a Miracle-Working God

Maintaining an attitude of gratitude,

Emmanuel Eliason
Senior Pastor

www.worldgospel.org

Some days it seems like you have to look long and hard to find examples of inspirational leadership lessons in the news. Today is not one of those days. If you haven't already done so, you must read the front page article by Alexei Barrionuevo in the New York Times on how the 33 Chilean miners trapped in the copper mine organized themselves to survive. In an era where lots of people claim to be leaders but don't deliver, here is a whole group of leaders doing what needs to be done to facilitate their own rescue.

You've probably heard the story by now, but, in case you haven't, here's the quick recap. The miners were trapped in a collapse a few montsh ago. They were presumed dead for 17 days until rescue crews on the surface pulled back a drilling tube to find a plastic bag with a note in it that said, "We are fine in the refuge, the 33." Since then, rescuers have been able to send necessities and communicate with the miners through a very small shaft running into the half mile deep space. The miners know that it will be between two and four months before they can be dug out.

What they've done for themselves since the collapse has been both simple and astounding. Simple because it makes so much sense. Astounding because of the grace and discipline they've shown under pressure. Through multiple acts of leadership they have organized themselves to take care of their bodies, minds and spirits. The way they've done it is instructive and humbling for all of us leading in much less challenging situations.

Here's some of what we can learn from the miners:

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