27 – A CHILD’S HEART LEADERSHIP POSTURE

1 Thessalonians 2v7a

7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Instead of using rightful authority; instead of taking a position of control; instead of adopting the attitude and posture of those who had greater ‘rights’ – Paul and his team led from ‘beneath’. They clothed themselves with humility (1 Peter 5v5) and innocence and servant-wrapped their egos with a foot-washing towel.

Not childish, self-serving, “I” centered living, but as simple, teachable themselves-learning sponges with no other agenda other than to be among them as those who were also discovering and growing in Christ.

They were leaders who hadn't yet ‘arrived’. Even though they had ‘specialist knowledge and insights’ which they obviously shared, they were not distant or aloof or better.

They knew nothing (really, in the grand scheme of things) and were nothing.

As leaders they were prepared to demonstrate the attitude that they were still starting from the bottom and willing to grow along with those they serve.  There will be times when we are called upon to wield authority, to make tough decisions, to ‘be’ the boss, but the ‘posture’ of our hearts can still be simple, uncomplicated, trusting, humble - and servant-like -  when we do so.

PRAYER ACTION

Lord, help me rediscover some of the excitement, joy, eyes-wide, heart-full simple faith and trust of my early Christian years.  I’m so complex - a jumble of busy-ness and ‘doing things’ - these days.  I think too much, try to control things too much, use my ‘amazing’ logic and knowledge too much.  Help me to be more childlike again and learn to unlearn and un-know so much of the stuff that gets in the way of me simply being your child again. Restore to me the joy of your salvation!

“Kid (my nickname in those days), learn to say, ‘I don’t know’, by the time you’re 40.  If you don’t learn it or can’t learn it by then… then get used to the feeling of your face burning with embarrassment and the taste of crow (and it doesn't taste a lot like chicken)”.

 (My late father, Elgie Lutes)