Monday, November 10, 2008

Lead as a servant

"Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus..." Phil 2:3-5a

Our society dictates who is in authority, businesses have created positions of authority, and of course, the church has done the same. Writing to the Phillipians, Paul reminds the leaders and the church what our actions should be like. How to serve and give as Jesus did.

Todays leaders are taught to use their authority to bring about the demands of the hierarchy. Being a believer in Christ Jesus our Lord makes the chain of command a bit out of place with society. Church leaders are called to be servants. To serve in a manner that reflects the Father. Love, mercy, and grace abound in the Father, yet, too many times as leaders we tend to use our authority to establish ourselves, our position in our church, in our schools, in our business, etc., instead of leading and teaching by example the ways of God and to establish His kingdom purposes for man.

Love, as always, is the key. The greatest thing that we all need and want...yet the hardest to give and the hardest to receive.

How many times have we heard it said, or we've said, "I love him/her...but I don't have to like him!" Such a sad state of mind! So much the more we need to sacrifice our time and attention for that soul. For his/her sake? No, for our own growth. Our own understanding of knowing how to lay die our lives as Jesus did for that one. Not just that one...but even for us.

Lead as a servant. No, we won't change the world, but, He will.