Issue #115, October 2, 2013
Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land (Psalm 45:16). In previous issues we focused on the ‘fathers’ who are passing on the baton to the younger leader making them ‘princes throughout the land.’ Now we’ll look at the developing ‘prince’ who receives the baton from the leader running ahead and focus on how this leader can receive the baton well. This young ‘prince’ often has been watching others run and is eagerly awaiting the chance to join in the race but has given little thought to the process of receiving the baton. Servant leaders carefully prepare to receive the baton in the following ways.
Receive the baton as a treasure.
You have grown and developed and may have been waiting for a long time for the moment that the baton would be placed in your hand. It is easy to grasp the baton as yours and forget the price the others have paid to make it possible for you to run. They may have established the business or planted the church. They have struggled to pay the bills or worked without pay. Recognize the role the ‘father’ played in making you a ‘prince.’ Maybe you should write a note to that person expressing your gratitude for his/her role in your life and thanking them for the way they ran their lap. Servant leaders don’t receive the baton as their right, but as a precious treasure given to them by God through the leader who ran before.
Receive the baton as a trust.
As the baton is placed in your hand remember that you are a steward of the baton, not the owner. Your leadership role is a gift from God, and while you are responsible to develop your leadership ability, the baton is not something you have earned, it is a gift given to you for a higher purpose. The race is not about you. It is not about proving to others that you can run or do better than the previous leader. Servant leaders don’t receive the baton as an owner of the role, but as a steward; they see their role as a sacred trust from God.
Receive the baton temporarily.
As you grasp the baton it’s time to realize that you hold it only for one lap. This lap is yours, the race is not. Already it’s time to begin thinking about how you will hand it off to another! There is a lot of privilege and freedom in being a ‘prince’ and a son. In that role you looked forward to taking the place of your father. But as soon as you take the baton your role shifts to that of a father. With privilege comes immediate responsibility. Fathers are responsible to reproduce and develop more ‘princes in the land.’ Servant leaders recognize that leading is a temporary role and that they are called to prepare the next leaders as they run their lap.
Timothy is an example of a young leader who gracefully received the baton from Paul. He served under Paul’s mentorship for many years and successfully carried out many assignments. He heard and followed Paul’s words of encouragement to be strong and to run well. He received the baton from Paul but knew that his role was to prepare the next runner. He followed Paul’s instructions, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2Timothy 2:2). Timothy ran the second lap with the third and fourth in mind.
The race is not won on the first lap nor the second. It is won when the fathers run well and prepare the princes for their lap. They receive the baton well and begin their lap with the next transition in mind. The hands of servant leaders are needed on both ends of the baton!
For further reflection and discussion:
- Reflect on how well you received the baton in your current leadership role with the following questions: Were you reluctant or eager to lead? Did you express appropriately your appreciation to the one who ran before you? And, if not, what can you do today to do this? Did you begin with the end in mind and take steps to prepare the next leader for your role? If you did not, what are you currently doing to develop the next leader?
- Reflect on the relationship between Paul and Timothy in regard to the passing of the baton. What did Paul do well in preparing Timothy? How did Paul release the baton? What attitudes did Timothy possess that prepared him to receive the baton?
- If you are currently in the role of a ‘prince’ and waiting for the baton, reflect on the following questions: What is my attitude towards the one currently in leadership? What is my real motive for wanting to lead? Am I ready to recognize leadership as an issue of stewardship instead of for personal gain or fame? How is God using my time in waiting to develop my character?