Leap of faith: Handing over the reins to reign
A sense of fulfilment means we can have faith in others
What do Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Moses have in common? Perhaps it’s as simple as the fact that they have all achieved very neat endings.
I’d love to know what prompted Queen Margrethe to abdicate, and in so doing becoming Denmark’s first monarch to abdicate in nearly 900 years by handing over the throne to her son, Crown Prince Frederik. Is it the most generous thing a mum has ever done for her child? Standing down whilst she can and not making him wait for nature to take its course. Is it self-preservation? Maybe she is tired, done, ready for retirement and knows that although she was born into a role, she can take control so as not to be in it forever. Does she want to leave while she still has the support of the people? Maybe she is just good at hearing what the people want.
I am sad for King Charles in case his recent medical treatment causes more people to call for the young king-in-waiting, while Charles himself had to wait so long to take up the mantle.
How would Moses have been remembered if he’d made it into the Promised Land and not been forced to hand on his leadership to Joshua? If, while still settling the Israelites into the land, he had become old, frail and forgetful and was no longer able to be demonstrate the diplomacy needed to carry out his role, would his leadership be remembered differently? Moses led the Israelites to the top of the mountain, and though the choice was not his, he ended his leadership quite literally on a high. From slavery to a land of their own, his is a success story.
I wonder if what’s seen as a punishment for Moses should be or is being seen as a blueprint for others. There seems to be a trend right now for people making room to hand on the leadership baton. Is Jurgen Klopp thinking there are only so many seasons you can take a team to near the top of the table (I say ‘near’ because you’ve got to stay hopeful that others, particularly a certain other team in red, will take the top spot) and be remembered for being the best.
Did Queen Margrethe, Klopp and Moses all assume someone younger stepping into the breach would be for the best? Is youth always seen as positive, bringing renewed vigour? Novak Djokovic has proven time and again that age is no hindrance to continued success. Perhaps Moses teaches us what it means to feel your achievement is complete, having completed as much of the journey as your chapter requires. Perhaps what Queen Margarethe, Klopp and Moses have in common is a sense of fulfilment and contentment. May we all be blessed with such a sense and have faith in those to whom we handover the reins (or, in her case, reign).
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