Impactful Leadership in your Territory: Following God’s Example

There are two types of people in these verses: those who seek positional power and those that seek to serve. Both are categorized as leaders, but only one type of leadership is modeled by Jesus Himself. There is a stark contrast between what the world would have us chase and what scripture encourages, and I am reminded of an eye-opening and soul-growing experience during my first years of marriage. 

My husband, young in his field, was working to prove himself in the corporate world surrounded by people that could either help advance his career or those who could do nothing for him. There was a man who worked in the warehouse connected to his building. Due to a past criminal record, this man struggled to find adequate employment to provide for his family. My husband intentionally chose to spend his time engaging with this man, giving him a Bible, buying clothes for his children, and even visiting him in his home on several occasions instead of focusing on those who could further his career. I can remember, even though it was 20 years ago, the inner conversation I had with myself about my husband’s desire to go out of his way for someone who could do absolutely nothing for him. Quite frankly, such a choice could even have caused leadership in his company to inaccurately judge his character or look down on him simply because he was associating with this man. Such thoughts revealed selfishness in my own heart, and it reminded me Christ clearly commands us to selflessly serve others and give our lives away rather than seek our own gain or glory. 

I learned a valuable lesson watching my husband honor Christ through this situation; He modeled the value of humble servant leadership over attention-seeking authority. As you move through your day, watch for ways Christ might be asking you to practice the boldest of leadership moves- serving others with a Christ-like heart. 

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Heavenly Father, would you create within me a passion today to serve not for outward glory but for an inward opportunity to become just a little more like You? Help me to value those around me regardless of what they may be able to do for me. Move in my heart so I may reflect your servant leadership. In your precious name, Amen.