Do You Know What It Means To Be A Soft Spoken Serving Leader?
Good Morning Friends,
Focusing as a leader is essential but sometimes it is done with words and sometimes true greatness is shown not spoken. Shakespeare said that “Brevity is the soul of wit.” and Mark Twain said, “If you have nothing to say, say nothing.” In silence can be great power and great wisdom to guide our actions. Do You Know What It Means To Be A Soft Spoken Serving Leader?
Scripture: For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
Luke 22:27 (NRSV)
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NIV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:1-4 (NRSV)
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God , got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.
John 13:1–5 (NRSV)
Message: Silence is seldom desired in our society. We try to fill every moment with noise. Yet scripture holds silence with service in high esteem. Scripture calls us to silence. I figure that silence and solitude are essential for any disciple seeking God. And don’t think that just because we are silent for a time we are not engaged. Perhaps it is just the opposite.
When it comes to being committed to disciple others who in turn disciple and empower the next generation to become servant leaders we are to know and be motivated by connecting the dots between silence, prayer, faith, love, service and peace. Sometimes struggles and service provide better leadership than speeches. Sometimes we need to quietly accomplish the task God is preparing us for to do. Sometimes we need to learn in the discipline of listening. Friends, the measure of greatness in the kingdom of God differs vastly from that of the world. Our society idolizes the rich, the powerful, the beautiful, the boastful and the athletic. We even make celebrities out of those who brazenly flaunt their immorality. The world claims it is demeaning to serve others. However, God’s kingdom completely rejects the world’s measure for esteem, giving the greatest honor to the one who serves most. The person who serves selflessly, lovingly, without complaint, and without seeking recognition is highly regarded in the kingdom of God. When Jesus and His disciples entered the upper room, the disciples looked for a prominent place to sit; Jesus looked for a place to serve. As they awkwardly waited to be served, Jesus took a towel and basin and washed their feet. We Christians like to refer to ourselves as servants, but we are seldom content to be treated as servants! We are tempted to adopt the world’s evaluation of importance. Maybe that is why we talk too much.
Pray we realize that silence is a precursor for service. Pray we realize that noble character often serves in silence. Pray we avoid the trouble we create with ill-advised speech. Pray we speak kindly, reply courteously, find wisdom in silence, and always be cautious and discerning before speaking. Pray we stay with God even in the silence. Pray we allow God to speak to us for He has been listening a very long time. Pray we connect the dots between silence, prayer, faith, love, service and peace. Pray we learn how to listen, to love, to live and to labor. Pray we be serving leaders.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 