I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
As a servant leader, you’ve committed to always support others. Yet, you’re only human. To support other people, you must in turn be supported. In this, God’s love is an inexhaustible resource for you. And, it’s a resource that’s free.
The question is, how do you access it?
Here are steps that you can take to consistently focus and turbo-charge your journey as a servant leader. These are steps that help you — in real, concrete terms ––learn to accept and leverage God’s support for you:
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Acknowledge that your connection with God must be cultivated.
Your relationship with God is like any other relationship: you get out of it what you put into it. While God’s love for you is infinite, the support that He’s able to offer you is limited by how often and how deeply you open yourself up to it. As you study Jesus’ model of servant leadership in God’s word, cultivate your openness to being held up by Him. This is true of any loving relationship, right? You have to relax and commit to opening your heart and mind to let love and support in. This cultivation can only happen if you’re intentional about it.
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Commit to consistent, quality visits with God.
You can tell when people are only half-listening to you, can’t you? When they’re “dialing in” their presence at a meeting or multi-tasking while you talk on the phone with them. Now…consider how you pray. Are you “all-in” – or are you distracted and rushed? Give God a quality visit, and you’ll be amazed at how He responds and goes to work in your life. Your energy will improve, as will your ability to take the road less travelled in order to do His will.
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Get creative about pouring God’s love forth in your relationships.
God’s will is for you to be a servant leader. He wants you to love Him and love others. Supporting other people is a deeply creative act! Allow yourself to tap into your creativity in how you serve the people you work with. You have an innate desire to connect with other people, build relationships with them, and draw out the best they have to offer. God built you that way, and your method of “drawing out” is unique to you. Embrace that uniqueness! Allow yourself to have fun with delighting people in how you pour forth God’s love. Remember, most people are not accustomed to a servant leadership culture. Surprise them! You will in turn be fueled by their joy.
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Document your experience of pouring forth (in writing).
Buy a journal, or create a document on your desktop. Each week, document your experience in taking these steps to open up, accept, and leverage God’s love and support for you. You don’t have to write a novel; just a few sentences each week is enough. Then, review your progress. Read your own thoughts back to yourself often – aloud, if possible. Ample research has proven that reading aloud will more firmly imprint your words’ true meaning and impact in your mind.
The pace and rigor of 21st century leadership is not tailor-made for servant leadership. It’s so easy to slip back into patterns of behavior that serve you first and the people you lead second. When you do this, don’t beat yourself up. Ask for forgiveness. Then simply relax into your humanity, recommit to practicing the steps above, and reconnect with God’s infinite love and support; support that’s ready and eagerly waiting for you.
Do any of these steps resonate with your fuel source for servant leadership? I would love to hear about your fuel for your journey. Where are you stopping to fill your tank?
Mark
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
Thanks Mark….As the Founder/CEO for Titus 2 Ministry Center I needed this little reminder! The enemy loves to make us tired and get in the middle of things, but to rest in the arms of our Lord is so refreshing. In Him. Mary
Mary, thanks so much for your comments! I’m glad you found this helpful. I know I have to go back to these fuel sources constantly. I love how you put it – “to rest in the arms of our Lord is so refreshing”. Right on!! Thanks for the amazing work you are doing at Titus 2. You are such a blessing to all those you are serving!!
Hi Mark! You are a gift from God offered to me! I have been on a leadership journey, in my latest calling, that has pushed me harder than any I’ve ever been a part of. The challenges are nearly all I can bear most days…. The company I now work with is a $24B/ yr angry gorilla that measures its success only in financial numbers. It has driven many that I’ve tried to get to know, to leave, some after only a few months of employment. I’ve been there myself 6 months now.
I also feel these same emotions and pressure and have nearly walked out many times. But something brings me back and makes me try again the next day. You know me a bit and my struggles in the past with faith. I know you, and others, pray for me and I now believe that the Good Lord has a mission for me to help this once great manufacturing plant, regain it’s edge somehow.
All this is a way for me to express my gratitude to you. Like many I suppose, I get inspired by your weekly posts, but don’t think to let you know they are having an impact on me. Many of your messages hit me right in heart. So thank you so much for fulling your purpose… It does help me fulfill mine!!
God Bless you and yours
Paul J
Paul, I can’t tell you how much your thoughtful words mean to me. Thank you!
As for the work you are currently doing – you are a true blessing to the people within this organization. Hope is one of the most important things that people can possess, and you are the shining light, and hope that the people have been looking for at that company. It is wonderful that you feel God’s call in this situation, and you are now showing the folks what it looks like to lead Jesus’ way. You will never know the true impact you are having on individuals in this journey. I know it is significant, and this work can definitely bring the organization back to greatness.
I continue to pray for you – for patience, wisdom, guidance, and strength from the Lord as you serve this organization and it’s great people. Stay fueled and keep the faith my friend!!
Thank you for your diligence and commitment to spreading and modeling servant leadership. You are making such a profound impact on our world.
Blessings to you and your family!
Faithful Friday Mark! Thank you for consistenly filling the tanks of those of us who deeply value servant leadership, relationship and people. I understand Paul Jossart’s position completely; I was there for 6 years. Paul, stay the course and be the light in the corporate culture of darkness. When it’s time to go and your job is done there, God will let you know. Remain faithful to your values, to God’s Plan and plugged into the Bold Warriors of this group who understand and can offer enlightenment, encouragement and support! Saved2Serve, Robin
Robin, thanks so much for your note, and wonderful encouragement to Paul. Just awesome! You are such a blessing to all those you interact with! Thanks for the amazing work you are doing in multiplying servant leaders who focus on Jesus as the ultimate model of leadership. Blessings.
Wow!! Thanks Mark and Robin for the leadership encouragement. We all are making a difference!!!
God bless you both and keep up the good fight!
Paul
Mark you are awesome.
I miss your smile and will give you an update on the lrt jackson soon.
I sure appreciate you.
God continue to use you
Thanks Mark, your note is so encouraging and I really appreciate it! I have been meaning to give you a call, to see how things are going. I look forward to hearing an update with your Leadership Roundtable Group in Jackson. You are such a blessing! Let’s talk soon.