The Wake We Leave

Have you ever had this happen to you? You read a book, hear a sermon or someone mentions it on the radio, or see it on a T.V. sitcom about a particular life area that you just happen to be going through at the time.  Your friend makes a comment and it points you back to your topic. In fact, everywhere you turn this life issue is placed front and center.  If not, then you probably haven’t been listening to the life around you and the Holy Spirit who orchestrates such promptings. I have been in that learning zone lately. 

I was asked to be a “mentor” for a friend who is taking a seminary class on leadership.  One of the books that he is reading for the class is called “Lead Like Jesus”.  The title intrigued me so I too made the purchase and commitment to read along with him.  Prior to all of this I had been frustrated on so many life and ministry fronts.  The main issue for me has been dealing with many ministry decisions that simply did not make a lot of sense.  If I was making these decisions I would at least be able to claim insanity, a reaction to medication or that I was dropped on my head as a child.  The problem isn’t whether or not these decisions made sense to me, but whether or not I was going to step up as a leader and support them anyway.  Remember when Jesus asked Peter to go fishing and inside the mouth of his catch he would be able to pay for their taxes, or for Peter to get out of the boat so he can walk on water, and what about the Passover meal…find a man carrying a jug of water and follow him to the place where we will eat?  Which one of those made any sense?  Making sense wasn’t the issue; it was all about walking in obedience and being a servant leader. How quickly we forget Jesus’ words when we are asked to do something that we disagree with or that will make us uncomfortable: Mark 10:43-45 (NLT) But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  When we stop serving as leaders and feel entitled above certain roles, believe we are right and “they are wrong” etc. we have replaced Jesus from His rightful throne and usurped His authority in our lives.

I like this leadership quote: Our leadership legacy is not just limited to what we accomplished, but it includes what we leave behind in the hearts and minds of those with whom we had a chance to teach and work. (Ken Blanchard)  When I complain to you about a ministry decision or a particular event or direction, I leave behind a wake of apathy, frustration, and entitlement…not an obedient and servant’s heart that strives to honor the Lord in any and all aspects.  For this I repent! My candor can often be misunderstood as negative or even used as a mask for pride and dissension. I don’t want that to be the wake I leave or the lasting impression of my leadership style. I want to point you all to Jesus and His way of thinking, speaking and doing. That too should be your life mission for others as well.  So take time to do a heart check, ponder your motives your feelings and whether or not you have drifted from being Christ’s slave to the master of your own universe.  You might be surprised what you uncover. I know I was!

Things to ponder and apply:

·      What is the Holy Spirit trying to communicate to me?

·      In what ways is He trying to get your attention?

·      What attitudes do you need to adjust or change completely?

·      Who truly sits on the throne of your life? Really?

·      What wake are you leaving for your leaders? Do you need to change course and start a new wake?

·      What does servant leadership look like to you? Make a list of those characteristics.