The Look Of Leadership - Part Three
Proverbs 3:5-10
The Look Of Humility
"Do not be wise in your own eyes"
(Proverbs 3:7a)
The Look of Leadership, has the look of faith, submission, and now the look of humility. I would be so bold to say, that in all of the segments of this study, we see the backdrop of humility. It is a virtue that stands out in the character and activity of a Christian leader.
As Christian leaders, we are to look to the person, and activity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:7-8)
From His birth, all the way through His ministry, through His death and resurrection, and His ascension back to heaven, we see humility showing up strongly. As Christian leaders, we are to look like Jesus, as much as we can. We are to have His mind, His heart and compassion, and His desire to submit to the heavenly father's will over our own.
I have read of Jesus, that He was a servant leader. That He looked through the eyes of those He was ministering to; trying to see the needs that were there. In Matthew 9:36 it says: "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered like sheep having no shepherd." As Christian leaders, do we look at those who we are serving with the eyes of compassion and concern? Do we recognize that everyone is important, and that we need to make ourselves available to everyone in our care, to make sure that their needs (both physically and spiritually) are met?
How hard it is to be led by someone who is arrogant, self-centered, and domineering. There is to be no place for power-struggles, and competition within the body of Christ. Yet so many churches today are plagued by these types of scenarios. And it makes for a miserable existence in the body of Christ. Solid Christian leadership is to be the solution for these types of situations.
If there is any virtue that the Christian leader must personalize and practice in his or her ministry, it is the virtue of humility. Jesus said: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."(Mark 10:45) If a Christian leader exemplified this type of attitude and action, and those who were under their care, did the same; what a difference it would make in the church, and what an impact the church would make on the world.
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."(2 Chronicles 7:14) The first thing God tells Solomon, the people are to do, to have a a good relationship with Him, and to experience healing for their land, is to humble themselves.
If Christian leaders do not lead out in this endeavor, how in the world can we expect the church and the world to do the same? GP
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