Issue #27, March 17, 2010
What do servant leaders do on Thursday morning? They work at their calling! A few open the church door and enter their office. But many report to an office, others show up at a bank, many of them step into a classroom full of students, others sign in for a factory shift while others make a busy hospital corridor their daily realm of influence.
Servant leaders are called to serve through their vocations. They understand Paul’s instruction: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24) What characterizes their leadership in their vocation?
Servant leaders work as stewards.
They recognize that God has given them gifts and abilities to do what they are doing. Paul made it clear that this calling includes all vocations when he said “Whatever you do…” We often allow ourselves to falsely assume that some professions are ‘spiritual’ while others are ‘secular’ but scripture teaches that all work is a sacred trust given to us by God. Carpenters, plumbers, business owners, lawyers, pastors, farmers, and teachers are all working on behalf of God. He has given you the level of influence and responsibility which you enjoy. He has given you people around you that He wants to touch through your work. Do you see your work as a sacred trust from God?
Servant leaders work hard.
Paul calls you to work with “all your heart.” Servant leaders should be the best workers in any location because of the value God places on their work. They can put their hearts into their work because they see it as a calling from God. Are you doing the very best that you can do in your work? In what way might God be calling you to improve?
Servant leaders work for the Lord.
Paul reminds us “It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Servant leaders recognize that their work is not for another person or organization but for the Lord. This gives meaning to the most menial task or lowly job. Servant leaders who teach students recognize that they are sharing God’s knowledge with the next generation. Leaders who build homes understand that they are constructing places for God’s children to be safe and secure. This also reminds those who are at the ‘top’ levels of organizational leadership that they are still under the authority of the Lord and will answer to Him for how they use their influence. Do you see what you are doing as furthering God’s plan on earth?
Servant leaders work towards the future reward.
Paul reminds us that “you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.” Servant leaders are not motivated only by current compensation levels or by the balance sheet at the end of the accounting period; they take the long range view and are able to patiently invest in God’s work even if they don’t see immediate results. Is your focus on the immediate return, or the future?
Whatever vocation God has called you to serve in, lead in that place with the heart of Jesus. Serve today where you are called!
For further reflection and discussion:
- What evidence is there in my work that I see it as a calling from God?
- If my work is full time ‘church’ work; in what way do I recognize and affirm the gifts and calling of the rest of those I lead? Am I avoiding the trap of seeing my work as more ‘spiritual’ than theirs?
- Do you feel under compensated for what you do? What difference does this verse make in how you see your compensation level?