Leading is Serving (Lent Devotion 2021)
WHEN JESUS HAD WASHED THEIR FEET AND PUT ON HIS OUTER GARMENTS, HE RECLINED WITH THEM AGAIN AND ASKED, “DO YOU KNOW WHAT I HAVE DONE FOR YOU? YOU CALL ME TEACHER AND LORD, AND RIGHTLY SO, BECAUSE I AM. SO IF I, YOUR LORD AND TEACHER, HAVE WASHED YOUR FEET, YOU ALSO SHOULD WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET. I HAVE SET YOU AN EXAMPLE SO THAT YOU SHOULD DO AS I HAVE DONE FOR YOU. TRULY, TRULY, I TELL YOU, NO SERVANT IS GREATER THAN HIS MASTER, NOR IS A MESSENGER GREATER THAN THE ONE WHO SENT HIM. IF YOU KNOW THESE THINGS, YOU WILL BE BLESSED IF YOU DO THEM." (JOHN 13: 12-16)
I take my job as Ministry Leader very seriously and seek out resources for becoming the best leader I possibly can be. I read leadership books and listen to podcasts, but these resources always leave me feeling as though I am missing something. I had an “Ah ha” moment: why was I seeking leadership from the world when I could learn about the best leader in history, Jesus? Jesus led through serving.
My real conviction about leadership came from John 13. I read and learned that the Savior of the World exhibited that he was the greatest Servant of all time. During the Passover feast, the disciples had forgotten to find a servant to wash feet at the door and none of them volunteered to do the job. This began the boastful argument. When Jesus saw this, He used this argument as a lesson for all of us. He began to wash his disciples’ feet.
The source of good leadership is love. We are to love those we serve with a Christlike, unconditional and unselfish love. This can be hard to do, because those you serve will inevitably let you down, betray you, or even reject you. In ministry, those we serve often have their hands constantly out. If we say “no” or “we can’t help this time,” it often results in people feeling offended. It is hard to stay positive when relationships seem to be so one sided. But again, our example comes from Jesus. He even washed the feet of a man that betrayed him.
Ministry can be messy, tiring and unfruitful at times, and I often find myself questioning my calling as a leader. I find it important to remind myself that even when my service to others feels messy, my true leadership is washing feet. It is getting down, dirty, and below those that we serve. It is showing up before anyone else arrives, cleaning the toilets, preparing the food, washing the dishes, and staying late. It is selflessly giving up my timetable to align with God's. Washing feet will never be popular, but it was done by a Man who was willing to pioneer an act of humility and sacrifice, so it will always be worth it.
Deon Prue
Lawrence, Kansas