Issue #39, September 8, 2010
Leadership Nuggets from Ephesians, #3
Leaders recognize and often seek power. Paul, in Eph. 3:14-21, prayed for power, but a very different kind of power than we often look for in leadership. He recognized that servant leaders operate with knee power. He opened his prayer with these words, “For this reason I kneel before the Father” and then mentions power three times in this short prayer. These occurrences reveal significant insights for servant leaders.
Knee power recognizes Christ’s presence.
Paul asks first of all that we would be strengthened with power so that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Prayer fills us with the indwelling presence of Christ. Servant leaders need to take time daily in God’s presence until they are aware that He is dwelling in their hearts.
God’s presence throughout the day provides guidance and wisdom to the servant leader. When faced with a difficult leadership issue, the servant leader can whisper a quick prayer to Christ for guidance. Christ’s presence provides inner peace in the midst of chaotic situations. His presence provides perspective on the future that enables the servant leader to see beyond the immediate discouragement. His presence makes the leader exercise caution in a decision that looks very simple on the surface. His presence makes the servant leader more aware of opportunities to use their position of influence to bring others into a relationship with Christ.
Knee power reveals Christ’s love.
Paul asks that we would “have power…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” Recognizing Christ’s love enables servant leaders to be secure in who they are which produces the confidence they need to lead well. Further, it frees them to extend love and compassion to those they lead. Leaders who do not recognize and embrace God’s love are often insecure, demanding, and more likely to insult and abuse those under their authority.
Servant leaders recognize that this is not something they do alone. It is “together with all the saints” that the breadth of God’s love is recognized. Servant leaders see differences in personality, gifting, abilities and preferences as opportunities to more fully understand God’s incredible love. They celebrate different perspectives on their leadership teams. They know that the personnel department is a great place to reflect on God’s amazing love!
Knee power releases Christ’s power/action.
Lastly, Paul describes the “power that is at work within us.” He boldly asserts that because of this power God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!” This is good news for results oriented servant leaders. Ordinary leadership vision can help move an organization forward, but knee power produces results far beyond the leaders’ imagination! Notice that these results come only after experiencing Christ’s presence and love.
All these actions flow out of the servant leader’s knee power. Does your leadership flow out of prayer or is it dependent on your own wisdom and ability? Business leaders, professionals, homemakers, pastors and all other servant leaders can learn to lead with knee power. Take a moment now to strengthen your leadership with a time on your knees. Praying Ephesians 3:14-21 for yourself and those you lead is a good place to start.
For further reflection and discussion:
- How much time do you spend on your knees? What would it look like for you to cultivate a daily discipline of spending enough time in prayer to lead with an awareness of Christ’s presence?
- Can I point to times in my leadership where I sensed that Christ’s presence was clearly guiding a decision I made? What can I do to experience this more frequently?
- Do I have a personal sense of the greatness of God’s love for me? Can I easily extend love to others?
- In what ways does the diversity on my leadership team help me understand the breadth of God’s love?