Issue #168, November 11, 2015
Paul gave instructions to the church leaders in Ephesus, which are good advice for servant leaders in any position of responsibility, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers” (Acts 20:28). This simple instruction calls us to “keep watch” over ourselves and those we lead. Paul’s challenge is for us to pay careful attention to these two areas. What does it mean to keep watch over ourselves? We usually focus our attention outward to see what is happening around us but Paul’s call is for us to look inward and to consider what is happening inside. He challenges us to look in the mirror before we seek to lead others. Servant leaders give careful thought to who they are becoming. They watch several areas that serve as indicators of the health and direction of their inner lives.
Watch what energizes you.
Servant leaders pay attention to the things which bring life and energy to them. This may include activities, tasks, or assignments which are life-giving. Servant leaders expect that when they are doing what God has called them to do there will be a release of life and energy. However, when leaders allow other demands to pull them in a different direction, they may find their life busy with activity but without life-giving energy. Paul calls us to look carefully at ourselves and examine whether we are fully involved in what God has called us to do or if we have drifted from that call.
Watch what offends you.
Servant leaders consider their emotional health as they look at things which offend them or cause them to be angry and upset. Take a moment to think about a recent time in which you were angry. What triggered that emotion in you? How aware were you of the emotion and if it was not healthy how quickly did you correct it? Are the things you are offended by changing with time and becoming more Godly or are they still small matters? Paul encourages servant leaders to ask these hard questions as they consider the condition of their soul.
Watch what controls you.
Servant leaders seek to live under the control of the Holy Spirit and are on guard against other things which would dominate their lives. These can be habits that begin to control your time or desires. What consumes your thoughts when you have free time? Are there desires for pleasure that have taken control in your heart? Has the desire for money begun to influence your decisions? Paul challenges us to guard our hearts against things that subtly take control of our lives.
Watch your attitude.
Servant leaders recognize that their attitude is continually improving or declining and they regularly check the condition of their attitude. They see attitude as a choice which they control. They guard themselves against people and places that negatively affect their attitude. They consciously seek out ways to continually improve their attitude. Paul asks us to check on our current attitude.
Watching yourself may at first appear to be an act of selfishness. But Paul’s instruction indicates that for a servant leader, watching over self is an act of service. The servant leader desires to be a person who is capable of leading well and recognizes that leading oneself is a prerequisite to leading others. Before watching over others, the servant leader looks in the mirror for an honest evaluation and then acts as needed. Take a good look today at the person you are becoming by answering the questions below.
For further reflection and discussion:
- What areas of leadership are most life-giving to you? Are you growing in your ability to focus on these areas? What distractions pull you away from these activities? Do you currently feel energized in what you are doing? If not, what has taken away the energy?
- What things trigger strong emotion in you? What does this say about your emotional health? Is there progress in your life in the past six months in this area?
- Reflect on the things which control you. Are there habits or desires that have unhealthy control over your life? Is the fruit of self-control increasing or decreasing in my life? Do you take care of your own body in a healthy way with diet and exercise?
- What is the condition of your attitude? Is it improving or declining? What factors significantly shape your attitude?
- From this reflection, what steps is God inviting you to take to improve? After you have written them, share them with a friend.