I had a disturbing comment made to me this past week. I had mentioned that I was going to be listening for God’s voice and guidance on a buying decision. The sales representative said, “Mark, I think God has more important things to deal with.”
The more I thought about that, the more it bothered me. I felt bad for this individual that he felt that he could only take really serious, important things to God for his guidance and consideration. I wondered how you would determine when something qualified?
Then I wondered what it would be like to work for a leader that you have to qualify what they would be interested in helping you on. Not good!
A true servant leader will always be there to provide any assistance and guidance necessary. They are first and foremost thinking about the greater good of their people, their children, or whomever they are serving.
In fact, they are not waiting to be asked for help and guidance, they are looking to where they can provide value and make a positive impact on people each step of the way.
God set an example for us that we can learn from.
We know that:
- God Hears – “Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him” (Psalm 4:3). “In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).
- God Remembers – “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark” (Genesis 8:1). “So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.” (Genesis 19:29).
- God Sees – “She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13). So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:25)
- God Knows – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?” “Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7)
As servant leaders we need to hear the needs of the people we are serving. That happens by being present with them and listening. Acute listening lets people know that you care about them.
We need to remember all we can about the people we are serving. Remember people’s names, their birthdays, their interests, their strengths, etc. The more we learn and remember about people, the more they know you truly care about them.
We need to see what is going on with people. Being present to observe when help is needed, when people are hurting, when recognition is warranted. Be intentional about seeing what is going on with the people that you are serving and react accordingly.
And lastly the character of a servant leader requires you to be competent. You must know what it takes to win, what it takes to lead, and each detail about the people you are serving. People want to be on the team of a knowledgeable leader. That won’t happen without a commitment for getting better every day.
We can all be thankful that we have a God that hears, remembers, sees, and knows us. That provides peace beyond understanding. We can also be thankful for this model as to how we should lead within our platform as well.
Mark Deterding
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3