Christian Leadership Foundations 2 - LoveSample

THE DIFFERENCE LOVE MAKES

Leadership Devotion

Today’s passage is one of the most encouraging passages in the Bible. Because God loves us, he chose us, he gave up his own Son for us, he made us right with him, he will give us everything, and he is committed to us forever. As well as dying for us, Jesus is constantly praying for us; he provides us with victory, he protects us in all our difficulties, and he will never allow us to be separated from his love.

How does that sound? Get that into your head and heart. This is incredibly good news. We are loved, protected, and blessed forever by the Lord of the universe. No one, absolutely no one or nothing, can cut in on us and wrest God’s love away from us. He is committed to loving us forever, and that’s that.

When we grasp the depth of God’s unconditional love for us, we develop a deep sense of security. God has made his decision to justify and protect us forever. This is his unshakeable commitment. It means we are safe no matter what might happen. It’s all going to work out really well in the end because God is with us and for us. He loves us eternally.

When we grasp the depth of God’s unconditional love for us, we also develop a deep sense of significance. Jesus is making commitments to me, a very ordinary human being. He chose me. He loves me. He saves me. He prays for me. He protects me. I am incredibly important to Jesus. I am significant.

As we love those who follow us, they, too, will experience security and significance. That’s what real love produces. No, we can’t love as profoundly as God, but we can love like him and with him. Our love can be transformative for those we influence.

To Contemplate

How deeply is LOVE embedded in your leadership? Rate each statement on the following scale:
5 - Strongly Agree; 4 - Agree; 3 - Neither Agree nor Disagree; 2 - Disagree; 1 - Strongly Disagree.

Total the scores. This gives a score out of 25. A score below 20 indicates significant room for growth.

1. I can honestly say I love the people I am seeking to influence.

2. I want to serve and help people; that is one of the main reasons I do what I do.

3. I am concerned and have time for those I influence, and they know it.

4. I pray regularly and persistently for the people I am serving.

5. People do see me as a servant. This is one of my prominent attributes.

Leadership Reflection

Genuinely loving those we are leading makes a significant difference to them. Unconditional love is a rather scarce commodity in many people’s lives. While they know God loves them (if they are Christians), your love as a leader will flesh that out. As we have seen, there are at least two significant benefits of being loved unconditionally.

1. Security

Knowing God loves us provides a great deal of security. Because God’s love is based on his choice and not our abilities or responses, we can be sure we are safe in God’s love forever. Whether we succeed or fail, obey or sin, do well or poorly, God will keep on loving us. Nothing can separate us from God’s love. We really are completely safe.

I know you can’t love as well as God, but your love for those you lead helps them feel a sense of security. They know they are loved for themselves and not just appreciated for contributing to the mission. They feel safe because you serve them by appreciating, encouraging, listening, valuing, challenging, and supporting them. They do not have to constantly try to earn your approval because they can see they are unconditionally loved.

Being genuinely loved helps bring a sense of peace to a person’s heart. As John says, “There is no fear in love” (1 John 4:18). Being loved allows people to relax, enjoy, forgive themselves, rest, and feel safe. People who are genuinely loved feel secure enough to let their guard down, be honest about their thoughts and feelings, and be led by others. They will often return the love they experience from you. Leaders who love deeply are usually deeply loved.

2. Significance

When people find the leader they are following is genuinely motivated by love for them and the desire to serve them, they understand they are personally significant. They feel they are not merely part of the furniture - a cog in some great God-given dream or a pawn in a leader’s personal plan; instead, they feel valued and valuable, not only for what they can contribute, but primarily for who they are. They know they are loved and, therefore, are respected and significant.

I am sure the disciples felt loved when Jesus washed their feet. I can imagine them thinking, “Wow, the Messiah is washing my feet. He must love me. I must be significant to him. He must see something in me.”

As you serve followers, their developing sense of significance will often grow their loyalty and commitment to you. If they feel you are deeply concerned about them, they will be more likely to listen to what you say and follow you to difficult places.

Security and significance are wonderful gifts to offer those we lead. Not many people grow up with the benefits of unconditional love, so when they receive love from those who are important in their lives, it awakens in them deep security and significance. No wonder the leaders who love best often have the most committed followers.

It is almost impossible to offer love, security, and significance to others if we are not secure in God’s love ourselves. You are significant and special to God. Your security and value do not come from the accolades you receive from other people (even when you influence with a servant’s heart) or from your successes and achievements, but from the knowledge that God loves you intensely and will look after you for eternity.