Jesus Style Leadership 2 - Love & HeartSample

Drawing Boundaries in Love

Leadership Lesson

Love sometimes means drawing boundaries with those we lead or serve.

Read Matthew 14:18–23.

Comment

This is the end of the story we started in the previous devotion. Jesus miraculously fed the needy and hungry crowd, which then settled down for another big inspirational session by firelight. You can imagine their expectations after the dinner miracle. They had seen the power of Jesus firsthand. I bet they were listening especially attentively. But Jesus wouldn’t have a bar of it. It was now prayer time for Jesus. He needed time with His Father. So He “made” the disciples leave, “dismissed” the disappointed crowd, and headed off up the mountain alone. Jesus knew that those He served would miss out if He didn’t have time with His Father, so He drew a boundary with the disciples and the crowd. It was time for them to leave. Jesus-style leaders need to learn this lesson well. Yes, at times you have to sacrifice your agenda for the needs of those you serve, but at other times you need to draw boundaries in order to do what pleases God. If you don’t draw boundaries, you will find that your time is controlled by those you serve, not by God. You will not only be ineffective, but you may burn yourself out trying to keep everyone happy. Sometimes you will have to say no to the desires of those you lead.

Prayer

I like it when I can do things that please others, but I want to please you more than anything else, and this means I need your guidance and strength to say no when it’s the best thing to do. I want to be a leader for the long term, so please help me to prioritise my relationship with you and my own emotional and spiritual strength. Help me to get this right like you did, Jesus.

Personal Reflection

Do you tend to be too giving to others or too protective of yourself? What is God saying? Are you doing things for others that are limiting your effectiveness as a leader?