Issue #94, November 14, 2012
Servant leaders live in an intimate relationship with Jesus which profoundly shapes all aspects of their leadership. Their leadership flows from this relationship. Those who don’t walk in intimacy unconsciously seek it through their leadership, leading towards intimacy. In the next three issues, we’ll explore this concept in more detail. Jesus is the best example of what it means to lead from intimacy.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist (John 13:3-4).
The first part of this verse makes it clear that Jesus knew His power, His past and His potential. Jesus led from a position of personal security and confidence in His own relationship with His Father. Because of this intimate relationship with God, Jesus did not need His position of leadership to prove anything to anyone, nor did He use His leadership to meet His own emotional needs. He knew His credentials but was not seeking to impress others with them. This is a picture of leading from intimacy and allowed Jesus to do three difficult things.
Leading from intimacy allows release of rights.
Jesus got up from the meal. It is not clear whether this was in the middle or beginning of the meal but Jesus interrupted the normal flow of eating to serve. We all prefer to eat instead of work but Jesus gave up His ‘right’ to a full meal because the disciples needed a leadership lesson! It’s difficult to release what we feel are our ‘rights.’ Our ‘rights’ may include physical comfort, privacy, peace and quiet, respect, the right to be heard and understood, and many more. Servant leaders who lead from intimacy are able to surrender these ‘rights’ with no loss of personal security.
Leading from intimacy allows relinquishing privileges.
Jesus also took off his outer clothing. I don’t believe that He did this because it was impossible to wash feet with the clothing on, but He wanted to symbolize the removal of anything that showed His privileges as the leader of the group. He was the leader, but didn’t have a need to show it, because He led from a position of intimacy. Our privileges may be in how we dress, but may also be evident in our titles, the special office space or parking position, the degrees we display on our business card or in other ways. Servant leaders who lead from a position of intimacy can, when needed, let go of these privileges and still lead.
Leading from intimacy allows responsible acts of service.
Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist and proceeded to wash the feet of His disciples. This act is often used as a model of servant leadership and rightly so. But we often try to imitate His action without acknowledging His starting point–intimacy with His Father. For Jesus, this act of service was not to gain favor or respect. It was not to prove how good He was. It flowed out of His intimate relationship with the Father. He was leading and serving from a position of intimacy, not seeking intimacy through service. We can easily view service as a means to greatness, as an opportunity to advance in leadership or a way to show others how great we are. Don’t try to serve unless it flows out of an intimate relationship with Jesus! Servant leaders who lead from an intimate relationship with Jesus have no problem serving those they lead in radical ways.
For further reflection and discussion:
- If today I lost my title, position and influence, how would I view myself? Would my value decrease, increase or stay the same? What does my response indicate about my source of security?
- In what practical ways have I served those I led in the past week? What was my motive for serving them? (Think carefully about this as our motives are often hidden deep within our hearts.)
- Do I sometimes serve others to meet my own need for significance? If so, what is God inviting me to change?
- Is my leadership characterized most by leading towards or from intimacy? In what ways has this been displayed in my leadership this week?