I imagine if we asked ten different people what a leader is, you would get ten different answers. The word “leader” might bring up an image of a president, pastor, boss, or coach. These and many others have this important role.
There are two very different styles of leadership. One is where the leader has a vision or responsibility and “rallies the troops” to follow his plan. The other is a servant leader. This type of leader is in his role to support those under him. His method is to find the vision of the people and show them how to get where they want to go.
The best example of a servant leader was lived out in the life of Jesus. He was a leader who made time for the unimportant (He saw them as important) and the sick. He pulled little children onto his lap and pulled together a rag-tag group of men to live life with. He wasn’t political, he was personable. He prepared food for his friends, walked the countryside while sharing stories, and taught his disciples how to pray and how to love. He served his friends and enemies even to the point of giving his life for them. Jesus was the greatest man to ever live, but he chose the life of a servant leader.
We are called to this servant leadership. I see it best enacted in three relationships: husband to wife, mother to children, and friend to friend.
Paul says in the Bible that just as Christ gave Himself up for the church, so a husband is to love His wife.* The husband takes the lead role, but not to lord over his household. He is called to serve them. This is currently happening in my home in such a beautiful way. I have been sick and have spent many extra hours sleeping and resting. Joel is taking on my responsibilities and serving me with care. Doing my tasks such as dishes, watching the kids, preparing food, and shopping. The servant leader lifts the load from the shoulders of his family and says “I will carry it for you.”
We see a servant leader again in the family unit with the relationship between a mother and her children. In love, a mother will wash her children, feed them, nurse them when they are sick, rock them to sleep, and teach them values. Her love for her children is shown in her care. Though she is in charge, her leadership role is to bend low in service. She will often give up her desires and preferences to serve the children in her home.
A friendship can also have a servant leadership quality. A wiser woman to a younger woman might serve her in mentorship. Two sisters might have a friendship where one is in the leadership role and yet serves her sister. A counselor, pastor, and coach might be a servant leader.
You can ask yourself, “Where do I see servant leadership lived out around me?” Spot examples of it in the lives of people you know. Is there a way for you to take this role? Who do you lead? How can you lift their load and help them reach their goals?
-Kassie Joy
P.S. Check Mandy’s Facebook page for her story about capturing the spider photo: https://www.facebook.com/mandyjunephotography .
*Ephesians 5:25
