Servant Leadership For All
Servant Leadership For All
Times of comfort, pain, and challenges come and go. People drift in and drift out of our lives. Seasons pass and usher in new, some easy, some not so much; sometimes with a gentle breeze; other times like a hurricane! There are times we do seemingly small things for others yet, at times those actions become huge for them. There are the things in our own lives that appear big and as we give into others’ lives our “big” suddenly seems much less significant.
Life over the last few months brings servant leadership clearly into focus. As we work with health care professionals, church support teams, funeral teams, business relationships, ministry teams, family and friends we are mindful that we have been given a gift in the example of Jesus. Jesus, our “servant leader,” shows us the way to bring hope into a hard place.
Jesus is the ultimate example of servant leadership. He does not ask us to go where He was or is unwilling to go Himself.
We have a peace that comes when our focus is more about Jesus and a determination to learn of His ways even in the midst of pain and the unknown.
In Psalm 119:105 King David declares:
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
We are not alone. Left without support or direction.
The men that followed Jesus, learning His ways, walking day by day, give us their experiences throughout the four Gospels. These are their experiences of being led by a “servant leader” who taught them how to lead through all circumstances not only in peace but in difficulty, pain, and sorrow as well. We are not promised ease and comfort but that Jesus would walk with us through all circumstances, guiding, strengthening and encouraging us as we keep our eyes on Him.
I am grateful.
Jesus says in John 16:33
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 English Standard Version (ESV)
Over the last month and months to come many people are faced with health and financial challenges. Servant leadership is needed more than ever.
Some have lost a loved one, some have suffered illness. Some folks have suffered a loss in their work, there are those who have suffered loss financially. All need their hearts to get filled and know that together we will get through.
It can be a simple gesture. A sacrifice. It may seem small in one sense yet for some it is big…we all need to share, to serve, to give; each in our own way. There are those who need to feel, tangibly see, unconditionally know, God’s love in an uncertain time.
We aren’t perfect. But when we focus on Jesus’ leadership, His “servant leadership” we can bring hope and strength that is contagious to those around us.
We are blessed with grace even in our imperfections to meet the needs of others. A small gesture to fill a big need that is guided by sacrificial love: that is what these weeks ahead are all about.
Each of us in our families, whether big or small, have something we need in these weeks ahead; and in all of our differences, personalities, gifts, or talents, each person will get and give something to one to another.
We have been given so much as Jesus’ followers. Love when we didn’t want it. Grace when we didn’t deserve it. A second chance when we messed up. Ok, maybe several chances even when we knew better.
There is a saying “It’s better to give than receive.”
Until we are fully ready; not just half-heartedly but truly ready to reach outside ourselves and see the needs of others; we will miss the biggest part of life that money cannot buy. There is a joy, an appreciation, satisfaction, and a sense of wellbeing in giving not just cash but more importantly of who we are as individuals. God has gifted each of us with opportunities to touch someone else’s life with love, grace, kindness, and human touch.
Paul encourages us with this:
“God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.”
2 Corinthians 9:11 MSG
God gives us everything we need to bring His love to others. When we are willing to reach out to others there seems to be something that wells up within us. Even when we feel like we have nothing to give. If times seem hard, we’re not sure how to even make our ends meet let alone someone else’s needs, we find it is here that the best gift can be found. Our talents, our time, and a touch of kindness are exactly what the circumstance requires. It is us; the “who” we are, not what we have, that will be the best gift of all.
There is Joy in causing Joy for others, in helping meet others’ needs.
Paul says that even for those who are in hard times there is joy.
“Though they have been going through much trouble and hard times, they have mixed their wonderful joy with their deep poverty, and the result has been an overflow of giving to others.”
2 Corinthians 8:2 TLB
Somehow healing pursues our hearts, perspective builds in our circumstances, and peace becomes established in the inner core of who we are when we find ways to bless others.
As Jesus followers, we have been richly blessed to be a blessing.
We may say, “I’m not an extrovert or that’s not my thing.”
Maybe it’s time we try.
Is it time for you to stop, look around and consider whom you can bless today?
