Jesus Style Leadership 4 - Sent & TeamSýnishorn

Whose Burden Do I Carry?

Leadership Lesson

Support your team members without comparing yourself to them.

Read Galatians 6:1-5

Comment

There seems to be a contradiction in this reading. We are to “carry each other’s burdens” (6:2) and we are to “carry our own load” (6:5). That is a lot of carrying. What does Paul mean? On the team, we are responsible for each other. If someone goes down under their burden the whole team suffers. So we share the load and support each other. This means correcting other team members (gently) when they are doing wrong as well as caring for them when they are doing it tough. It’s so good when you know that your team has got your back; that they will be there for you when you are struggling. But then what does Paul mean when he says that each one should carry their own load (6:5)? Well one danger of team is comparing and competing with other team members. We can think we are superior because we’re more gifted, achieving more, or working harder than other team members. Or we can feel inferior because we are not as able as others on the team. Paul says to forget about what others do. Don’t compare. We are each accountable to God for what he has called us to do. Don’t let any slackers or heroes on the team be an excuse for you not to give it your best shot.

Prayer

Thanks again for the team. Help me to be a humble and supportive team member and to share the load that others are carrying. Help me to care enough to gently correct them when necessary. But keep me from fixating on what others are doing or not doing. May I serve you well whatever happens on the team.

Personal Reflection

Are you a good team member according to this Scripture? What have you done to help other team members when they are under the pump? Do you tend to compare yourself with others and is God asking you to change?