Versailles: Spirit Empowered Leaders

The weight of an entire country hung on King Louis XIII when he escaped to Versailles, his hunting lodge. In those days it was a getaway. I doubt he would have ever dreamed that someday his lodge would become a gilded cage that housed the secrets of France behind its golden walls.
Louis IV transformed his fathers not so humble hunting lodge into the monarchies seat of power. It was a power play, a demonstration of

the “sun gods” ability to control both the nobles and their purses. Versailles was and is enthralling, one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in France. The amount of money that was taken from the oppressed and starving French people was also stunning and appalling. The exterior of beauty hides an ugly history, one rife with manipulation and beheadings.
The Bible clearly states that in 1 Samuel 16:7 ‘a man looks at the outward appearance, but The Lord looks at the heart.’ This is a good reminder to not judge a book by its cover. We should not make judgments about others based merely on what we see on the outside, because in reality there is so much more depth to every person. Everyone has a story. Everyone has their own unique struggles and victories and we cannot know that if we only see them at a surface level. There are many people that might be seen as outcasts, strange or less educated, but their struggles are unseen,

unnoticed or looked over. Even so, more often than not, many of the people that are thought of to have their lives put together and to have everything going perfectly actually are falling apart inside. Especially in the newer technology driven generations where putting on masks is as easy as a click of a button. With your own thumbs, you can create a pseudo life that you can only wish that you had. One photo with the right edits and filters along with the perfect caption and even the perfect Bible reference can lead anyone to believe that everything is perfect while everything is dark in reality. You can even cause people to envy your life when in reality you're envying the lives of others. It is so easy for people to make assumptions on others, whether good or bad, because all that can be seen is what is outwardly presented, but thank goodness that we have a great God who sees each and every one of us for who we truly are. He sees our deepest struggles and our greatest victories that many people may not see or notice.
Although the Bible says that The Lord looks at the heart and not to the outward appearance, it does not mean that what is outwardly shown does not matter. The Bible also states in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that we should honor God with our bodies. What we show outwardly can

either be a way of being a godly example or if not done well can lead to being a poor representative of Christ. Being a temple is especially important for godly leaders. When someone is filled with the Holy Spirit and His love and power, it will be evident to others. Therefore Spirit empowered leaders will outwardly show whats within them; they will show outwardly much of what The Lord can see in the heart. I truly believe that the Holy Spirit will shine through His people, and make publicly apparent what He is doing in the hearts of His people so that others will have a chance to see what He sees. He knows that man looks at the outward appearance, so by being man’s outward appearance seeing the outward appearance of Spirit empowered leaders, man can see Him.
As Spirit empowered leaders, there should be a level of integrity that is obtained and maintained. A Spirit empowered leader should not just set examples, but be a living example. This is a truth that is

stated in the Word. Titus 2:6-8 says, “Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Among other scriptures that back up the importance of what leaders show outwardly are 1 Peter 2:12, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation”, Philippians 4:9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”, and Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”