Romans 1:8-12
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
The last part of these verses is poignant. Paul didn’t know these people personally; the church in Rome was not planted by him, yet he assumed (or rather accepted God-given) responsibility for them and took them to heart and to God in prayer constantly. And it’s from the posture of prayer to the posture of a fellow-servant colleague that is so powerful to consider.
This giant of a Christian lets them know that he is coming to visit, but not to rule, or laud, or direct or even instruct. He was coming to give to them whatever he could, and receive from them whatever they had, so that they could be ‘mutually encouraged’.
It’s like being transferred to a new department and inheriting or being assigned a new team to lead. How would it work if we as managers and leaders sincerely adopted the posture of servant leaders; as much a co-worker as a boss; as much a learner as a teacher? Being there to push them up while having an open door to hear their concerns and to encourage them to grow, improve and learn – and then challenge and stretch them.
It takes a very ‘inwardly-secure’ leader to encourage innovation and creativity and to truly welcome new ideas, input and suggestions that even the boss can learn from. Our lives are ‘under His new management’, therefore, everything we do has eternal significance. If we hold this mental attitude and adopt this spiritual posture in the way we lead, we will give a whole lot more to the people around us than simply a job or collection of tasks … we will be imparting spiritual gifts; we will be giving eternal life.
PRAYER ACTION
Lord, improve my servant posture. Knees, feet, hands, mouth - heart. Show me what I can and should give more of; show me what I can let go of - and show me what I can learn from others today. Give me more spiritual backbone to stand up and stand out for you.
“We may be little, insignificant servants in the eyes of a world motivated by efficiency, control and success. But when we realize that God has chosen us from all eternity, sent us into the world as the blessed ones, handed us over to suffering ... can't we, then, also trust that our little lives will multiply themselves and be able to fulfil the needs of countless people?”
(Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World)
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