The Magnificent ExitSample

Walk in Honor, Not Insecurity

Paul mentored both Timothy and Titus – but he launched them into very different leadership roles. Though Paul repeatedly made the point that circumcision wasn’t necessary, he chose to circumcise Timothy to honor the Jews in an area where they were ministering. It seems Timothy was a little more refined and intellectual than Titus, and perhaps a little more insecure (1 Timothy 4:12). Titus, on the other hand, was an uncircumcised Gentile, sent to lead the roughest of the rough on the island of Crete (Titus 1:12). Each of these leaders was uniquely gifted, and each one filled unique gaps in God’s Kingdom work. The same is true for you and me.

What we learn from Titus and Timothy is that, as new leaders, we should be sure to walk in honor and not make comparisons. If you take over from a great leader, in an environment of other good leaders, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to try and be someone you are not meant to be. Believe me, I know. I took over from a world-renowned leader who pioneered works on four continents and authored eighteen books. Me? Nowhere near that. Insecurity knocked every time I had to step into his shoes. I had to beat it off with a stick. Thank God for His grace. One day, a woman came up to me after a talk I gave. She shared a vision she had of my mentor’s worn-in leather boots and how she saw me standing with a pair of uber-cool running shoes. The message was crystal clear. I realized that I wasn’t stepping into my mentor’s shoes but that I had my own unique ones to wear. It helped me to back myself, appreciate my own authentic leadership style, and lean into it more and more.

People you lead will value what you bring when you bring it through who you really are. You’re not a mimic. You are you. Lead confidently from that place. Something that really helped me to do this was to honor my mentor as often as possible. When you speak out of honor, it confronts your insecurity because you hear yourself saying out loud what a great leader someone else is. Each time you do it, you become more secure in who you are.