One of the games we used to play when growing up was called “Follow the leader” or the “Copycat” game. You are probably familiar with this game. One of the group members (designated as the guesser) is asked to leave the room while the rest in the group select a person (as their leader) whose actions they will mimic. When the guesser returns, the guesser will have to figure out who the leader is. The game would usually turn out hilarious when the selected leader chooses to do something wacky or funny.
Today’s corporate world glorifies leadership and often discounts service and servanthood to be weak. Corporate culture today can be summarized into the maxim, “Lead, Follow or Get out of the way”, which sadly is not entirely the model to emulate according to the Bible for the followers of Christ. The Christian model really is “Follow or get out of the way”. There is no “lead” in Christian life. The leader is One and that is Jesus Christ. All in His family should be imitators a.k.a. mimickers/followers of God (Ephesians 5:1). Unfortunately, many in the family of God (including Churches) today, think of themselves to be the leader, without an ounce of humility or an attitude of servanthood. They expect to be mimicked instead of following Christ and encouraging others to do the same. Jesus said, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9). Apostle Paul, God’s chosen servant, did not say “Follow me” but instead said, “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). It is Christ (the ONE and Only Leader) whom we should be following. Additionally, there are many among us, who seek preeminence amongst their peers and God’s people. They focus on their individual goals and aspirations and stand in the way of God, who is working in His people to accomplish His will in their lives. The self seeking spirit of Diotrephes (3 John 1:9) is in them instead of the Spirit of Demetrius (3 John 1:12). They pursue after man’s accolades (a running after the wind) instead of God’s approval (a solid foundation). For such, the counsel is “get out of the way” before God removes you (as he did Saul).
At this juncture, I must also assure that I am not anti-leadership or anti-Christian leadership. I am the first to admit that Christians need to be leaders in the secular world (as well as in God’s Church), so that they can be influential in reaching many who do not have access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But when Christians are given a position of power or authority (in their homes, work or in the Church), they must treat that privilege (which can be taken away anytime) with a heart of humility and an attitude of servanthood. Otherwise, the world will end up guessing as to who truly the leader is and if it is anyone other than Christ Jesus that they guess, then these leaders have missed the mark. Furthermore, if they end up living wacky lives, then those observing these leaders will find it funny, and this is no laughing matter.
Point(s) to ponder:
If the world sees you and me and our life (thoughts, words, and deeds), will they guess that our Leader is Jesus Christ, whom we ought to be imitators (mimickers/followers) of?
John Cherukuri
Enjoyed and challenged reading it. How appropriate to be Servant Leaders. When we are made leaders the first things we focus is on how to get the ROI, how to set the goals strategically etc etc but very seldom do we focus on the attitude of servanthood certainly dont find this attribute in corporate world and thats why we go to the word of God [The Bible] to find it.
Thanks again for your thoughts .
Ragland Remo Paul
Interesting choice of words “SERVANT LEADERS”. I can quite understand what you mean by this but when I look at the Bible I do not find this concept at all…. It either speaks about being a servant or following the leader…. and never a combination of both as in SERVANT LEADER… wonder if we still are wanting hold onto power that we coined this concept…..
Mano Paul
Knowing brother John, I am certain that he meant is as leaders with a servant attitude, but your response does evoke some thoughts that ought to be pondered, Remo. I like the way you called to attention the oxymoronic aspect of the term “Servant Leader”. Interesting.
Ragland Remo Paul
I like this one…. The need of the hour
Mano Paul
Thank you, my dear brother, Remo, Your comment is confirmation that His word is relevant and applicable to our times today and that I am still hearing His beautiful voice in my Spirit. This topic was heavy in my heart and I deliberated about writing it and heeding to His leading, I wrote it. Some, especially those with the spirit of Diotrephes wont like it, but then again, God’s word is infallible and sometimes needs to come out strong as fire to consume and as hammer to shatter the stubborn and frivolous self seeking spirit in all of us.
Ragland Remo Paul
Some truths from the Bible are not easy to be told but need to be told and in today’s world this is one of the hard truths to be spoken about… So keep saying it… Some will be upset but that is fine…. What matters is will you still continue to love the person who hates you for saying this?
Mano Paul
I pray that I will be able to.
Ragland Remo Paul
Keep them coming Mano… though I do not comment on all of them… I do skim through most of them….
Regarding my response to John… I do understand what was being conveyed and I guess you did catch the main emphasis of my response….
Keep up the good work
Mano Paul
I did capture the essence of your response, Remo. Piques the mind for sure … 🙂