Issue #124, March 5, 2014
In the last issue of this series we’ll examine the life of Timothy, a young leader who was learning to balance boldness and humility through the mentoring of his spiritual father, Paul. He encouraged Timothy to be bold, especially as it related to his willingness to share with others the Good News of Jesus and to humbly accept the suffering it would bring. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. Rather join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, (2Timothy 1:6-8)
Servant leaders boldly present Jesus to others.
Paul encourages Timothy not to be timid in testifying about the Lord but bold. Perhaps Timothy had a timid personality or simply didn’t enjoy talking much. In any case, Paul encouraged him to “fan into flame” the gifts God had entrusted to him and to receive the boldness God desires for all leaders. He challenged Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel but to declare if fearlessly. No matter where we live in the world it takes boldness to publically share Jesus with others. Communicating the Gospel always elicits spiritual opposition which requires leaders of courage to overcome it. Servant leaders seek to model their faith in all they do but they do not shrink from sharing verbally about Jesus. They pray for opportunities to share Jesus with their employees, co-workers, customers, neighbors, family members and friends. Speaking about issues of faith in the public arena requires leaders of courage who are filled with the Spirit of God. Boldness in sharing is not measured in the volume of our speech, but in our willingness to speak clearly and with conviction when required. Servant leaders recognize that God has placed them in positions of influence to speak for Him.
Servant leaders humbly accept suffering for the Gospel.
Paul challenges Timothy to boldly proclaim the Good News of Jesus and then quickly invites him to join in suffering for the sake of the same gospel. Bold sharing is coupled with humble acceptance of suffering by servant leaders. They expect resistance to the message of the Gospel. At times this may be in the form of physical opposition, at other times the resistance is much more subtle. Leaders who speak boldly may be mocked or accused of being intolerant, narrow minded or old fashioned. Servant leaders share boldly but do not fight to be heard or insist on defending themselves or their message. They refuse to be drawn into arguments or defend their own ‘rights’ to be heard and understood. They recognize that the message is not about them and they are simply chosen by God to deliver it to those God brings into their lives. They rejoice when the message is welcomed but they persevere when it is rejected. They will not stop sharing even when it costs them prestige in the eyes of others, a business deal, customers, friends or finances. They look to Jesus who suffered and acknowledge that His followers are called to join with Him in suffering. Paul, often beaten and imprisoned for the sake of the gospel, calls Timothy and all servant leaders to humbly accept suffering as part of our leadership. We seek to balance bold humility as we share our faith. When servant leaders find that they are not experiencing any suffering, they cry out for more boldness!
In this series we have reflected on the call for servant leaders to possess confident boldness balanced with deep humility. Timothy, and the other leaders we have examined, teach us that it is possible to balance the two. May we each rise up and lead…with bold humility!
For further reflection and discussion:
- Would others describe me as “bold” or “timid” in sharing the gospel? What is the result in my leadership?
- Where does a leader receive the boldness Paul challenged Timothy to have? What does Acts 1:8 have to say to this question?
- Who are the people Christ has put in my life with whom I can share the gospel? In what ways have I been faithful to that calling and in what ways have I neglected the calling?
- What type of opposition have I faced in sharing the gospel? Has it diminished my boldness in any way? What is God speaking to me in regard to opposition?