Most likely, you have seen the Broadway show Hamilton or perhaps heard the soundtrack. One song in particular struck a chord with me this week: “The Room Where It Happens,” sung by Aaron Burr when he feels excluded from the talks between Hamilton and Jefferson. Burr’s perspective comes from a place of deprivation and scarcity. This resonated with me because of the way I have constructed my life.

I remember a mentor telling me when I was about 18, “If you don’t have room at your table or space in your room, then build a bigger table and expand your room.” As long as I can remember, I have always made room for others. Because of this advice, I have ensured there is always more than enough room, and anyone is welcome.

The challenge is not to be like Aaron Burr and seek the room. Instead, it is to realize that you have the power to create the room and make a bigger table. These principles and values arise from my deep reading of the Bible and theological reflection. Being an egalitarian has pushed me to think differently about occupying spaces and creating room. My value of collaboration encourages me to say, “Let’s do this,” instead of “I got this.” These values influence me at every level, especially in leadership.

The core of who I am can be summarized by the image of a hand lifting you up from beneath. Unfortunately, our culture often teaches us to hoard and control. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, and bad leaders think you are wearing milk-bone underwear. Living in a world of abundance allows you to realize that what is meant for you won’t fit anyone else.

There is a preponderance of leaders who are insecure to the point of crushing anyone they perceive as a threat to their kingdom-building. This is prevalent in all industries but is particularly evident in churches and religious institutions. Jesus pointed out that this is how the leaders of this world operate and challenged us to embody a different, counter-cultural, and iconoclastic paradigm.

But how does one get there? It starts with a deep cleaning of all hierarchical mindsets and theological foundations. For me, it began with reading the accounts of Jesus as prescriptive, not descriptive. When Jesus tells the women at the tomb the news of his resurrection, he is elevating the role and place of women. That elevation is carried on in Paul. When Jesus chooses 12 disciples and levels the field, he is modeling a new way to lead. These actions describe a reality but, more importantly, create new paradigms to embody. These new paradigms help facilitate room at any table and empower you to create a bigger room.

What Now?

Reflect on your own journey. Are there areas where you’ve felt excluded or limited? Consider how you can transform that experience into an opportunity to create space for others. Embrace your unique perspective and skills, and think about how you can use them to teach, coach, and uplift those around you. Share your story, inspire someone today, and let’s work together to build bigger tables and more inclusive rooms.