This morning, during elder training with a couple elders from Sojourn, we discussed the idea of servant-leadership. We discussed various perversions of what leadership is thought to be in light of what Scripture says about Jesus’ leadership (“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”). It was sobering to say the least.
As I went to get lunch for the office today with some of these thoughts on my mind, it occurred to me that most people I meet or cross paths with, are seen through my eyes as a means to achieving my own ends. I want them to serve my ambitions and desires. The way this manifests itself for me, most of the time, is my desire to be well-liked by everyone. So whether I’m passing by or making an acquaintance, my first thoughts are usually scrambling for affirmation from that person: “I hope they think I’m great.” “I hope they think I look good.” These thoughts are equal to saying, “I hope they worship me.” My first thoughts are usually never, “How can I help this person? How can I build them up? What might their needs be?”
Of course, this points out the usual: I’m a wretch and Jesus is a great Savior. I’m glad I have elders at Sojourn who are willing to walk through this stuff with us.
What about you? Do you have any practices that help keep you focused on serving others instead of using people to meet your own ambitions?
June 11, 2009 at 3:30 pm |
it would be a bald faced lie if I said this was a habit, but yesterday I apologized to my neighbor for being angry at her family because of their stupid dogs (i still don’t like the dogs).
it was a humbling thing to confess that i had not been a good neighbor to her because of these frustrations.
in short, making the confession of sin a habit brings about humility and keeps self-exaltation and self-service from creeping in.
June 15, 2009 at 6:27 pm |
I cry out to Jesus. Confessing the sin. Asking Him to open my eyes to how, where and to whom He would like me to serve.
I tell my prayer partner my sin and she prays for me.
Recently I was “hit between the eyes” in front of the choir I was leading with someone’s dissatisfaction that I had not called upon her during her needy time. (I was told not to call her, just pray for her.) This embarrassed me, for the same reasons you mentioned Brandon. Therefore, I called all to prayer and asked God to forgive me where I was blind. Since that prayer, a relationship has begun with this woman and we are growing closer in the Lord. He is faithful!
June 29, 2009 at 11:36 pm |
I keep these words in my thoughts and on the tip of my tongue each day…
“How can I take trouble for this person today?”
This re-centers my thinking on serving others, because God knows that I am the guy who thinks that I am serving others if I just keep my own trouble to myself, bottle it up, and smile.