Issue #212, July 26, 2017
Every child longs to hear words of love and affirmation from their father. Some hear these precious words but unfortunately many do not. Those who do not hear these words often live their lives trying to hear the same words from others. Jesus heard these words from His Father at His baptism. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). The three phrases that Jesus received from His Father powerfully affected His life and leadership. They freed Him to live and lead as a servant. Servant leaders also learn to hear these words and allow them to shape their leadership.
“This is my son…” affirms identity.
Jesus heard His Father’s voice and it provided an affirmation of His identity. There was no question in Jesus’ mind that He belonged to His Father. When questioned about His background or authority to teach, He could respond calmly and confidently. He had nothing He needed to prove to others. His secure identity finally allowed Him to serve His disciples by washing their feet. Leaders who don’t hear these words seek to prove who they are and to show that they are someone great. Servant leaders hear their Father call them His child. They recognize their own adoption as a child of God and rest in that knowledge. Their identity with Jesus provides security. They no longer need to prove to others that they belong. Their leadership flows out of intimacy with their Father. They don’t lead to prove their identity; they lead because they belong to their Father. Some lead to be someone; servants lead because they are someone.
“Whom I love…” instills significance.
These words from the Father told Jesus that He was deeply loved. These words met one of His deepest human needs, to know He was loved and therefore significant. As a leader who was deeply loved He could pass that love on to many others in His ministry. Leaders who don’t hear these words seek to show others that they are significant. They strive to impress those they lead. They use their leadership to meet their own emotional need to be significant. Their focus is on themselves. Their lives cry out, “Please love me. Tell me I’m significant.” Servant leaders hear the Father say, “I love you.” These words of unconditional love meet the deep need in their soul to be significant. When they realize that they are deeply loved, they can share love with others. They don’t lead to gain significance; they lead because they are significant. Some lead to be loved; servants lead because they are loved.
“With him I am well pleased” provides affirmation.
Jesus received this affirmation from His Father before He began His public ministry. He had not yet preached to crowds or performed any miracles. His knew His Father’s affirmation was not based on His performance but was given as a gift. Leaders who seek affirmation need to impress others. They work hard to be bigger or better than the rest. They are desperate to prove that they are good enough. Servant leaders hear their Father say, “I am pleased with you.” They no longer need to perform to show they are okay. They don’t lead to be affirmed; they lead because they are already affirmed by their Father. Some lead to be affirmed; servants lead because they are affirmed.
Servant leaders learn to stop and listen to the voice of the Father. His voice shapes their life and leadership just as it did for Jesus. Take a moment today to hear the Father’s voice.
For further reflection and discussion:
- What is the basis of your own identity? Is it in your family name, your position, or your education? Or does it come from who you are in Christ? What difference will it make in your leadership if you hear the voice of the Father say, “You are my child…you belong to me”?
- How do you think God feels about you? Are you fully convinced of His unconditional love or do you feel that you need to try harder and do more to ‘earn’ His love? What difference will it make in your leadership if you hear the voice of the Father say, “I love you”?
- Do you honestly feel good enough for God to accept you or do you feel like you always need to do more to gain His approval? What difference will it make in your leadership if you hear His voice saying, “With you I am well pleased”?
- Reflect on the following verses that reveal the Father’s heart for you. Write down what He is speaking to you as you meditate on them. (Isaiah 62:5; John 1:12; 15:15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 8:1, 15-16, 31-39; 1 John 3:1)