Will anything we do today in the physical world matter in eternity?  Consider the vision of the eternal kingdom shared by John and Isaiah.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ² I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (Rev. 21:1-2, NIV).

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it (Rev. 21:24, 26).

And they will reign for ever and ever. (Rev. 22:5)

²¹ They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. ²²….my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. ²³ They will not labor in vain… (Isaiah 65:21-23).

These passages, along with others, describe a future that is much different from what we often imagine when we think of heaven.  John sees heaven coming down to a new earth, one that has been purified by fire (see 2 Peter 3:10). He sees a massive city filled with the glory of the nations. Isaiah sees work and labor as a part of this wonderful future.  What does all of this have to do with our work today?

Our work today enters into eternity.  

John’s vision of a glorious city also includes the kings of the earth bringing their “splendor” into it. So, it appears that some of the splendor of this earth will somehow be carried into eternity! Isaiah, in 60:6-17, mentions camels, gold and incense, flocks, ships and wood that is brought to adorn God’s sanctuary. So, it appears that when our work reflects God’s goodness, justice, creativity, and care for people, something of that work may enter the new earth!

Some leaders work hard to build and create wealth with no thought of how it may impact eternity. But serving leaders work to develop the best art, craftsmanship, creativity and products that reflect God’s goodness. They seek to create “splendor” that will enter into eternity.

Our work today endures in eternity.

Isaiah’s vision of eternity includes people building houses, planting vineyards and working with their hands. The picture Scripture paints is not an eternity without work—but work without the curse! No frustration, no futility, no wasted effort, no sweat. Just the joy of creating, developing, and filling the earth with beauty and goodness.

Some leaders look forward to completing their work and live for the times they are not working. But serving leaders embrace work to glorify God, now and in eternity.

Our work today expands in eternity

John’s vision indicates that those in the new earth “will reign for ever and ever.”  This is the ultimate fulfillment of the original commission from Genesis 1:28 which we examined in a previous issue. While our current work partially fulfills this mandate, it will be fully expanded and realized in eternity. We will exercise authority and power free from sin—to fill the earth with God’s goodness.    

Some leaders sharpen their leadership capacity only for present success. But serving leaders develop their leadership muscles in preparation for eternal impact.  

Your work today matters! From creation to eternity, scripture consistently affirms the value of human work.   

For further reflection and discussion:

• What elements of my current work most fully express God’s beauty, creativity and goodness?  What would it be like to have something of what I have done here on earth brought to Him as a part of the “splendor of the nations”? How does that energize me to do my best in my work?  
• In what way would it be energizing to think of my current work continuing in eternity? Are there things that I have always dreamed of doing that I might be able to accomplish in eternity?
• In what ways am I developing my leadership capacity in my daily work?  How might God use these skills to allow me to rule in eternity? What more can I do to prepare for that time?
• Reflect on the following passages that provide more context to the principles we examined in this issue: Psalm 8:6;  Isaiah 60:6-17, 65:17-25; Daniel 7:27; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 6:1-3; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 5:10, 21:1-21; and 22:1-5. 

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler 

If you would like a single document with all four issues from this series, click here for a PDF copy. 

*Many of the thoughts in this series come from Jordan Raynor’s book “The Sacredness of Secular Work,” which I highly recommend.

We live in a world looking for ‘more.’ Marketers encourage us to buy because the product has ‘25% more!’ Businesses look for more customers and more profit. Churches look for more members and bigger budgets. Those who have more are highly esteemed. Leaders, as agents of change, naturally join the quest for more.

But John the Baptist shared a new paradigm for servant leaders when he said about Jesus, “He must become greater, I must become less.” (Jn. 3:30) This often overlooked Biblical leader recognized what all of us need to grasp: leadership is not about more of me; it’s about more of Jesus. When I decrease, Jesus can increase. In the upside down kingdom of Jesus, servant leaders lead more with less. How can we lead like John?

Lead more with less by focusing on others.

The power of John’s leadership came from the fact that he did not focus on himself but on others. He was not concerned about his own image or building his own kingdom. He saw the needs of people and proclaimed a message to meet their needs. When Jesus appeared John didn’t focus on his own career. Instead, he pointed people to Jesus who would meet their needs more completely. Servant leadership is really about meeting the needs of others. For an organizational leader, this style of leadership allows focus on the vision of the organization instead of the leaders’ own advancement. The focal point is on those who produce the product or meet the need of the customer. For servant leaders, less of the leader and more of Jesus yields powerful results.

Lead more with less by championing the team.

John the Baptist was not a weakling; he was a gifted leader! He drew crowds and boldly proclaimed a message that championed his cause. People responded and his influence grew to the extent that the political leaders took notice. He was on the road to celebrity status, the dream of many leaders. But he knew his role on the team and when Jesus appeared, he had no reservations about pointing people to Him. To use a sports analogy, John ‘passed the ball’ to a better player. Servant leaders recognize and applaud the efforts of their teams. They say, “Look what you all have done” instead of “Look what I have done.” They are willing to pass the ball to help the team advance even if they won’t get the credit. They are not afraid to bring people around them who are more skilled than they are.

Lead more with less by avoiding the ‘perks’ of leadership.

Most leaders envy the celebrity status John the Baptist enjoyed but they aren’t so excited about his diet of locusts and wild honey! Even as John’s popularity increased, he didn’t give up the simple acts of self-denial that God used to keep him humble. Often, Christian leaders begin with much prayer and fasting, but as they rise in power they start ignoring the basics. They begin to enjoy the ‘perks’ of leadership: titles, expense accounts or bigger office spaces. While these things are not necessarily wrong, servant leaders do not focus on the benefits of leadership. They recognize that as they climb the servant leadership ladder, their responsibilities increase but their privileges decrease. Their time and talents belong less to themselves and more to others. They are more accountable. They lead more with less.

Leading more with less in no way implies less confidence or courage in sharing the vision and helping people move forward. Leading more with less is not for weak leaders. But it does change the focus, less on the leader and more on the people and God’s purposes for their lives. Pause for a moment and ask God how you can lead more with less.

For further reflection and discussion:

• What makes it difficult for me to lead like John the Baptist, more with less?
• Is the focus of my leadership on my own advancement or on meeting the needs of others? (Think deeply about this before you answer!)
• When is the last time you sent a customer or member somewhere else because you knew it would better meet their needs?
• If someone else can do something better than I can, am I willing to empower them to do it or do I insist on doing it myself? Why?
• Are there ‘perks’ (privileges) of leadership that keep me from serving others? If so, what do I need to do to lead more with less?
• Are you willing to let someone else take the center of the stage or do you always need to be in the front?