Biden’s decision to drop out of the race is an example to leaders everywhere.

It’s not easy to let go of power. Biden’s decision to step down was the action of a noble, humble, and decent person. His placing the country over himself is exemplary for current and future heads of

One of HBO’s most successful shows, Succession, chronicles the life of the Roy family which owns a major media conglomerate. The show revolves around the question of replacing the patriarch, Logan Roy. That question turns out to be prescient because early on, he suffers cognitive deterioration. His departure appears imminent, but at an event in his honor, where he’s expected to announce his retirement, he declares that he’s not leaving.

The show is interesting partly because it depicts how hard it is to voluntarily let go of power—even when the writing's on the wall. Some leaders, reluctant to step down, continue to wield great influence behind the scenes. It’s hard to let go of power—very hard, in fact. We get accustomed to the roles we play, and to the respect and privilege they bring. It’s even harder when one has been the founder of an organization, or has simply been at the helm a long time.

Even though I, like many Americans, hoped the President would quit the race, I’m in touch now with some sadness and compassion. I can empathize with his anger and frustration, and admire his strength.

In a rare example of humility in Washington, Joe Biden stepped out of the presidential race. He demonstrated exemplary statespersonship in doing so. He put the country ahead of of himself, his ego, and his power. His legacy will be one of a long and productive career in Washington. He will always be the President who saved us from the pandemic and who turned the economy around. As Bernie Sanders said last week: “He has been the most progressive president of my lifetime”—by making healthcare available to millions more Americans, forgiving the crushing debt so many students face, and significant clime and infrastructure bills. Biden is still President though, and my hope is that he continues to work for a ceasefire in Gaza, a challenge, as he faces the recalcitrant Benjamin Netanyahu. To be sure, Biden’s darkest mark will be his funding and support of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, but within the frame of the American political spectrum, he is better than his opposition, and more likely to be convinced to push for a ceasefire than his opponents.

Biden’s legacy could have been one of an incorrigible, power-hungry, deteriorating man. But instead, he became the kind of president that is honored for his selfless service to his country. In contrast, his opponent, lied about the election, refused to concede, and led a mob to invade the U.S Capitol.

In stepping down, Biden showed that he respects his colleagues in Congress, and he empowered a Black woman to succeed him. He not only did what most white men will not do—give up power—he passed the torch to a strong woman of color. Joe Biden’s humility and the Democratic Party’s agility gives them more than a fighting chance to defeat Donald Trump and his Christian Nationalist agenda. Making a hard choice galvanized the party, which is no longer in disarray but coalescing around a new and young candidate. Kamala Harris is both the change candidate and the incumbent candidate, which puts her in stark contrast to Donald Trump, who is suddenly the old man in the race. 

I am very excited about supporting a Black woman’s candidacy, and I am grateful to Joe Biden for his humble choice, and for the courage of the Democrats who voiced their beliefs, knowing it could hurt and anger this person they respect and love. None of that was easy, and there was indeed quite a bit of risk involved, but their leadership changed the race, and quite possibly the election.

I am sure I will write more about Harris in the coming weeks and months, but I want to emphasize the great example Biden has set for every leader. Leaders should not hold on to power until it is ripped from their hands. They should not grip it tightly until they die, but willingly and gracefully let go of it. Our elderly must teach all of us how to do this—how to say goodbye, how to move into something new.

Power, in the Bible, is exclusively purveyed by God. God gives it in the expectation that it be used judiciously. There are many examples of God taking away the power that had been granted, when it led people into decline and sin. 

What Biden did on Sunday—and I do not mean this lightly—was to model the biblical example of how to yield power. To be clear: I am not suggesting God selects U.S. presidents, but rather, that Biden handled his power as God instructs in the Bible. Biden’s decision was so surprising, it seemed impossible to many just one week ago. It’s hard not to experience the change as a minor miracle. The campaign and the party are now transformed. 

The temptation to power is one we all face. This is why we have specific, time-tested ethics about transitions and succession—including for clergy. I am incredibly grateful to serve a church whose pastors hew to Biblical ethics. Just this weekend, I spoke at a church where my current church’s founding pastor serves. We enjoy a strong relationship. I am also indebted to my full-time and interim predecessors who were so respectful of the transition as they moved out of pastorship and I moved into it. I am grateful for their humility and their partnership. These individuals, like President Joe Biden, shine a light in dark times.