Bible Reading: 2 Chro. 10; Col. 2:13-23.
“And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.” – 2 Chronicles 10:7 (KJV)
Leadership is the ability of an individual or a group of individuals to influence and guide followers or other members of an organization. It involves making sound and sometimes difficult decisions, creating and articulating a clear vision, establishing achievable goals and providing followers with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve those goals. A Servant is also defined as one who performs duties for others.
A servant leadership therefore is the process that begins with the natural feeling and demonstration that one wants to serve by putting service first and subsequently making conscious choices that bring one to aspire to lead. This was demonstrated by Jesus all through his ministry which explains why his accusers could not identify him among the disciples and had to rely on a kiss by Judas Iscariot ( Matt 26:48-49). Also, he exhibited it clearly in John 13:3-5 when he washed the feet of his disciples.
The Lord Jesus is quite specific on this for Christians. He spoke to the disciples in Matthew 20:26-27 (KJV): “But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; [27] And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” This is what the old men advised Rehoboam to do as the king of Israel in 2 Chronicles 10:7 (KJV): “And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.” But he chose to exercise power over them and he lost their support.
If only we believers can obey the word of God by employing servant leadership, our world would be a better place.
Prayer point: Father, help me to be a servant leader in every leadership position I occupy in Jesus name.
Bro Biodun Oyapero