We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Nate Hemphill.
Bible Reading:
John 13:14
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
Word:
Several years ago as a young Naval Officer I recall a deep desire to learn what the very best warrior-leaders looked like; how they behaved, communicated, directed and served. Right around that time a new HBO series premiered named Band of Brothers – the story of the 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. One scene that I’ll never forget was a golden nugget of leadership that occurred off of the battlefield, during another mundane day in between heroic events.
Major Winters is schooling a new Lieutenant (Buck Compton) whom he’d just reprimanded for joining in on a game of craps with the enlisted men. He asked the Lieutenant a simple question – “What if you’d won? Don’t ever put yourself in a position to take from these men.” This was a lesson in servant leadership; a lesson to always be the giver especially when you are in a position of authority.
Jesus gave this same advice to us – his followers. On the night of The Last Supper, the evening before Jesus was to be betrayed, tortured and crucified, Jesus insisted on washing his disciples’ feet. This was a task typically reserved for the lowest servant of a household as a means to show honor to guests. Yet Jesus, the Son of God, humbled himself saying “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
Although he was in a position of authority and rightly due honor, he laid it down to demonstrate what real leadership looks like. So often we envision the best leaders through a lens of dominance – always at the head of the line, in the spotlight, at the top of the podium. Let Jesus’ example inspire us to reframe how we think about leadership; remembering that in God’s Kingdom “the last shall be first and the first shall be last.”
Prayer:
Lord Jesus open my eyes to see new opportunities to serve others in the way that you’d have me to serve. I willingly lay down my rights to comfort, recognition and applause to pour out to others and bring glory to your name. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Skillwork:
Are you putting yourself in a position to take from people that you should be serving? Don’t be ashamed of it – recognize it and change it today. Go out of your way to serve in any capacity that you are uniquely blessed to give. Don’t look for any recognition for this service, knowing that God is pridefully watching you!
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