Lead by Example
If I were to ask you what your idea of a good leader is, your answer would largely be based on personal experience — both good and bad.
I see leadership modeled throughout scripture, but never more beautifully or intimately displayed than in John 13 when Jesus gathers His disciples for supper the night before His death. After they ate,
“Jesus got up, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself.
Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet
and to dry them with the towel tied around Him."
(John13:4-5)
Foot washing was definitely a task meant for a servant or a slave.
I can't even imagine what was going on in the disciples' minds - some shocked, some embarrassed for Jesus to wash the dirtiest part of them. Nevertheless, Jesus began making His way around the table one at a time, gently washing His disciples’ feet - acting more like a servant than the Son of Man.
The obvious thing to say here is that Jesus led by example, and that would be true. But more than that, I believe Jesus was saying to His followers, you, my beloved disciples … are to become my exact counterpart - an extension of me when I am gone. Do as you have seen me do.
In John 18:15. Jesus says.
"For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you."
The lesson that jumped out at me was that there's no pride in washing feet.
Jesus beautifully modeled humility with authority, seeking first His Father rather than going "rogue" (you know, like we do most of the time). In other words, Jesus was saying to His disciples and to us today, if you want to represent Me well, if you want to be a strong leader who others should folow, then there can be no thirst for power, presence of pride, or motivation of greed.
I believe Erwin McManus expresses this thought extremely well in his book Uprising: He writes,
"God opposes us when we are proud. He stands against us when we are greedy. ..If we push ourselves to the top, we are pushing ourselves away from the presence of God. When we move ourselves to the place of servanthood, we join God in His eternal purpose. When we serve others, we look strangely like God. God stands alone as Creator and Redeemer …He stands there also as servant."
I was once asked what my biblical worldview was. It led me on a personal journey with God, asking for His wisdom and guidance on my quest for an answer.
I also asked my husband, Steve, the same question, and together, we landed on Micah 6:8 as a couple for our answer:
"He has told you, O man, what is good: And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?"
It's a great model for today's leader, don't you think? To do justice requires you at times to be okay with others not being okay with you.
To love kindness sounds so easy until someone is not kind to you. You must decide to develop a kindness muscle even when it doesn't "feel" good to be kind.
Remember the Golden Rule? Matthew 7:12
"However you want people to treat you, so treat them."
To walk humbly with your God, you can't be full of pride. Jesus modeled humility yet was given all authority under heaven.
Are you perhaps thinking about how you lead? Are you doing some self-reflection, or will you? I hope so.
It reveals a heart of humility and wisdom when we open ourselves up for growth in both leadership and in life.
*Celebrate Arkansas - September 2017