Do You Need More Charisma?

Yes! But not in the way you might think. When you think of charisma, do you think of “personality?” When you imagine a charismatic leader, do you picture a good-looking extrovert with an easy smile and quick wit who can generate excitement when they speak?

We really need to give this word a deeper look and allow it to lead us along a different path to influential leadership.

Charisma is part of God’s grace economy. Think of grace, for a moment, in economic terms. In its original sense, economics is the art of managing one’s house (oikos-household, nomos-law), which consisted of relatives, friends, neighbors, work, and the extended community relationships.

God’s grace is a completely different model and currency of relationships than the market-based economy we’re accustomed to. When we successfully transition to God’s oikonomics of grace, we’ll notice it by how our relationships change.

There will be a few defining qualities that shape us…

Pervasive gratitude (eucharist), even in the face of suffering and adversity.

True forgiveness (charisomai), when we’ve been deeply hurt.

And spiritual empowerment (charisma), beyond human ability.

The root of each of the qualities is grace (charis), which simply means, “gift.”

Grace is the economy of God. It’s the model and currency for life in God’s kingdom.

The story of Simon the magician in Acts 8 is instructive here. He’s a compelling individual who’s built a great name and attracted a lot of people to himself. Phillip comes along and starts preaching Jesus and people are drawn, not to Phillip but to Jesus. Even Simon notices the difference and wants in on it. Of course, the only economy he knows is the market, so he offers to buy his way in. Peter chastises him and informs him that the charisma of God’s Spirit cannot be purchased. The problem is that his “heart was not right before God.” (Acts 8:21)

So, back to you and your gifting.

Here are a few things you can do to experience God’s charisma in your life to a greater degree…

• Don’t allow the Warren Harding effect to disqualify you from pursuing your God-given and highly fragile vision.
• Warren Harding looked “presidential,” so he would be a good president, right? You might lack certain forms (looks, voice, personality) that you think are essential to success. Resist the temptation of Simon in Acts 8 and remember that charisma is an animating presence, but it’s the presence of God’s Spirit in us not human ingenuity. Don’t emulate someone’s form, open your heart fully to the currency of God’s grace.  
• Let go of that last 10% and see the difference that full abandonment to Jesus and His kingdom makes in your life. You won’t need to try on personalities or conjure up pseudo-excitement because your genuine love for Jesus will radiate through your speech and actions.
• Don’t be too calculated. Distinguish what you can pursue from what can only ensue. Recklessly disregard opinion polls and well trodden pathways to success.
• Don’t wait for permission. Go because you have no choice and watch as your sheer conviction and passion leaves a riptide in its wake.
• Find Phillip’s who embody God’s charisma. They won’t sell you a secret formula, they’ll simply help baptize you (symbolizing the dying of your old self and rising of your new self) and connect you to Jesus who will start to manifest His very character through yours in unique ways, which will defy all formulas and techniques. 
• Have faith that God’s storehouse is full. He will give you gifts (grace!) that transcend your natural abilities.

Consider this press release from Doctors Without Borders five days after Haiti’s devastating earthquake:

PORT-AU-PRINCE- A Doctors Without Borders/Medecins San Frontieres (MSF) cargo plane carrying 12 tons of medical equipment, including drugs, surgical supplies, and two dialysis machines, was turned away three times from Port-au-Prince airport since Sunday night despite repeated assurances of its ability to land there. This 12-ton cargo was part of the contents of an earlier plane carrying a total of 40 tons of supplies that was blocked from landing on Sunday morning. Since January 14, MSF has had five planes diverted from the original destination of Port-au-Prince to the Dominican Republic. These planes carried a total of 85 tons of medical and relief supplies. (January 19, 2010)

Imagine the pilot’s disbelief as they flew away from the airport. Why would they turn away something so desperately needed? The answer was a mixture of ignorance and confusion. Now imagine God’s perspective on your situation. He has everything you lack, including perfect knowledge and infinite power. But He needs a place to land the plane! You can miss much when you expect little.

So, by all means, seek more charisma. Just know that there’s only one source: God and His grace!