Biblical Leadership: What Is Your Leadership Purpose?Sample

8. Afterword: Are you OK?

In the last reading, you may have found that your special leadership gifts, abilities, and responsibilities are maybe not quite so important or special as you first thought.

In the end, the central purpose of your leadership role is to be like Jesus, just serving the ordinary people that you meet in ordinary ways.

If we can be honest with each other, that conclusion may be a bit of a disappointment to you – like someone just let all the air out of your balloon, finding out that your highest calling and purpose is the same as it is for every other Christian on the planet, despite your leadership gifts & talents.

Hmmm – is that really what the Bible teaches?

Let’s check in with the Bible again. Last time, we left off with Romans 12:2 – now let’s start by looking at the very next verse in the Bible:

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. – Romans 12:3b

That says it right there, doesn’t it? You’re no different – no more important, no more valuable, no higher than anyone else. Regardless of what box you may fill on the organizational chart. 

Paul adds the following later in the same chapter:

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. – Romans 12:16b

In plain English, he’s saying straight out not to be full of yourself. That you should consider yourself the same as any other person at your work. Even those at the bottom of the organizational chart, and contract personnel not even on the chart (think of the cleaning crew!).

As you follow in the footsteps of Jesus, you are reminded by Jesus himself of the priority of things – first to seek God and His Kingdom (by serving others, just as we discussed), and then the rest will follow – in accordance with God’s plan for your life:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33

The Bible repeats these same instructions throughout the Old and New Testaments, such as this simple summary from the prophet Micah:

What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8b

and echoed by Paul in the New Testament:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23a

All basic stuff, isn’t it?

Just be nice, be humble, helpful – focus on doing God’s will (these good deeds already prepared), and then trust God for the rest.

He’s going to use you in a BIG way – it might not be quite what you expect, but it all starts with your obedience to His primary purpose for your leadership life – touching the lives of individual people, as Jesus did.

That method of putting others first, humbling oneself (even to death on the cross) worked for the greatest leader of all time – and, it will work for you too.

Seek first His Kingdom. Then watch what happens.

Reflection / Application

1. If you’re honest with yourself, following in Jesus' steps and sacrificing your objectives and maybe even your career is a heavy cost, isn’t it? Do you think it is right?
2. Spend some time in prayer over these readings. Pick a few verses that speak the loudest to your situation and place a printed copy of these on your wall where you will see them daily.
3. Pray daily for His guidance and the “spiritual glasses” that you will need to spot the opportunities God has already prepared, especially for you (Ephesians 2:10)