Issue #95, December 4, 2012
In the last issue we looked at the example of Jesus leading and serving from a position of intimacy with His Father. Now, let’s examine what it looks like to lead towards intimacy. All people are created to have an intimate relationship with God. This is evidenced by the deep longing within each of us to be loved, accepted and affirmed. God intends for this deep need to be met in Him alone and He pursues us for a relationship of intimacy which should give us a deep sense of security, worth and belonging. Jesus lived and led from this relationship. Sadly, many if not most, leaders never experience this level of intimacy with Jesus and spend their lives trying to find it. Their insecurities shape their leadership. They move and lead towards intimacy rather than living and leading from intimacy. Martha illustrates what happens with this kind of leader.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).
Leading towards intimacy focuses on performance instead of relationship.
Martha was busy with “the preparations that had to be made.” She was doing the work and serving Jesus! But her focus was on what she was doing, not on Jesus. She found her significance in her performance, not in relationship with Jesus. How often I find myself doing things for Jesus when all He asks is that I come to be with Him! Service is good, but when we are seeking approval by what we do, we completely miss the grace of God. Servant leaders are guilty of leading towards intimacy when they measure their worth by their performance instead of finding security in their relationship with Jesus.
Leading towards intimacy focuses on the temporal instead of the eternal.
Martha was concerned about the physical preparations while Mary chose what could “not be taken away from her.” One was for time, the other was for eternity. Martha opened her home while Mary opened her heart. Both were filled, but only one produced intimacy. The demands of the things which need to be done today can quickly blind us to the things that last. Servant leaders are guilty of leading towards intimacy when they find their significance in what they are doing here and now instead of how their acts draw them into an increasingly intimate and eternal relationship with Jesus.
Leading towards intimacy focuses on the many instead of the one.
Martha was busy doing many things. Her ‘to do’ list was extensive and she was checking things off one by one. She hoped to impress Jesus with her many accomplishments. The result, as it is for many leaders, was distraction and worry. Jesus rebukes her and says that Mary has chosen the one thing which is best, a relationship with Him. Intimacy with Jesus is not a task on our list of things to be done; it is the number one thing we should pursue. Servant leaders are guilty of leading towards intimacy when they seek the praise of many instead of seeking only the praise of the One who matters.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Where do I find my significance, in my accomplishments or my relationship with Jesus? How does this express itself in my leadership?
- Am I primarily motivated by guilt or by grace? How is this evidenced in my life?
- Am I more like Martha or Mary? In what ways have I demonstrated this in the last week? What is God inviting me to change in my life and leadership?