I don’t know of too many leaders or organizations that would say they don’t want to foster a culture of servant leadership. There is plenty of data that shows that servant leadership is good for business and there is no question that people like working for servant leaders. It only makes sense then that the most effective way to attract the best people is to be a servant leader yourself.
When learning a new skill you need to start with education or training. But there is a clear difference between intention and action. If your servant leadership ends in the classroom or with a book, you’re not doing anyone any good. Committing to living out servant leadership and finding the courage to take action is the key!
“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:26-27
Public speakers know that what you say first and what you say last is how you emphasize what you want your audience to take away. Jesus ended His famous Sermon on the Mount with the word “crash” to give us a stern warning with this verse. He is telling us that we need to not only hear His words, but, more importantly, we need to put them into action.
Shifting Into Drive
Jesus makes it clear that ‘hearing’ does us no good – leaving us sometimes worse off – unless we shift from PARK or NEUTRAL into DRIVE. I think of Jesus’ “foolish man” standing there in the storm, anguishing, wincing and weeping, as he watches his house come crashing down because he scrimped and took it easy on his foundation. Jesus loves us enough to warn us how not to be this guy.
Remember Jesus’ emphasis: “These words of mine…. PUT INTO PRACTICE”! Do whatever is necessary to move yourself from learning to action. God is calling you to take action; only then will you have a positive impact on this world.
Your Challenge
Consider this week how you can take more ACTION with the words you have heard. How will this help you to develop into the servant leader that God created you to be?
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22
