Mark 1:16-20 (The Message).
Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed. A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.
1 Peter 2:9 (The Message).
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you.
I'm finding it somewhat amusing (if that's the right term) when I get things stuck in my head, and verses, songs and quotes become a recurring theme.
I have struggled with my perception of leadership last year and I am finding myself slipping back into this bad habit again this year (and it's only January).
These frustrations, apart from causing me heart burn, are negatively impacting my walk with God. This journey has been hard enough without letting my perception and judgmental thoughts get in the way.
I don't believe I've got it all together when it comes to leadership - I certainly had my fair share of issues over the years, but the "theme" - In tune with Thy divinity (again a music reference) has played over and over again, both in good times and in bad.
I am conscious that these frustrations are doing me more harm than good, and probably not helping others too, as I rant and blow off steam.
Song 567 (SASB) is my prayer as I ask for forgiveness....
1.
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our (my) foolish ways;
Reclothe us (me) in our (my) rightful mind;
In purer lives thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
2.
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
Beside the Syrian sea,
The gracious calling of the Lord,
Let us, like them, without a word
Rise up and follow thee.
3.
O Sabbath rest by Galilee!
O calm of hills above,
Where Jesus knelt to share with thee
The silence of eternity,
Interpreted by love!
4.
Drop thy still dews of quietness
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of thy peace.
5.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm!
John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-92)
Lord, help me be an instrument of peace. Help me act in a way that others may see you in me. Continue to work your way into my life that I may stay "in tune" with you, and that your glory will be seen through me.
Amen.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Servant Leadership
Philipians 2:4-8 (The Message).
Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
Matthew 26:39 (The Message)
Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?”
Ephesians 6:7 (The Message)
And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God.
I saw a quote the other day (posted on Face book) from an author I'd never heard of.
It read....
"Continue to give Him all that is yours; He will continue to give you all that is His.
Continue to wait upon Him; He will continue to be faithful to you.
Continue to seek His highest; He will continue to give you His best".
- Roy Lessin.
I particularly like the last line as I was reminded of our (Launceston Citadel Band) Motto - "My best for the Highest".
I started to search for the author on Google and found many quotes and readings and I was led to a section under "Servant Leadership".
It was a timely reminder that I'm not much of a leader if I only seek my glory, and it's my way, and no one else matters.
How ineffective can I (we) be if we get this wrong ??
How effective can I (we) be if we get this right ??
I completed another book (yes that makes 2 since 1985) called "Darkest England and the way back in" (Gary Bishop) that speaks of packing up and going to the heart of where the need is and being part of a that community. Through powerful stories, Biblical thought and personal reflection ‘Darkest England’ takes us on a journey which calls us to hear again the implicit call of scripture for the church to spend itself on behalf of the poor.
I thought immediately of the verse 4 of the song "The Servant king" and thought it would be good to share it.
1. From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served, but to serve
And give your life, that we might live
Chorus:
This is our God, the Servant King
He calls us now to follow him
To bring our lives as daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King
2. There in the garden of tears
My heavy load, he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
Yet not my will but yours he said
3. Come see his hands and his feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered
4. So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone him
Each others needs to prefer
For it is Christ we're serving
Chorus:
This is our God, the Servant King
He calls us now to follow him
To bring our lives as daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King.
Lord, may others see you in me.
May my life be spent in serving you and in serving others.
Help me to be willing to serve and to be humble in my dealings with your people - putting your glory before mine.
Amen!
Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
Matthew 26:39 (The Message)
Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?”
Ephesians 6:7 (The Message)
And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God.
I saw a quote the other day (posted on Face book) from an author I'd never heard of.
It read....
"Continue to give Him all that is yours; He will continue to give you all that is His.
Continue to wait upon Him; He will continue to be faithful to you.
Continue to seek His highest; He will continue to give you His best".
- Roy Lessin.
I particularly like the last line as I was reminded of our (Launceston Citadel Band) Motto - "My best for the Highest".
I started to search for the author on Google and found many quotes and readings and I was led to a section under "Servant Leadership".
It was a timely reminder that I'm not much of a leader if I only seek my glory, and it's my way, and no one else matters.
How ineffective can I (we) be if we get this wrong ??
How effective can I (we) be if we get this right ??
I completed another book (yes that makes 2 since 1985) called "Darkest England and the way back in" (Gary Bishop) that speaks of packing up and going to the heart of where the need is and being part of a that community. Through powerful stories, Biblical thought and personal reflection ‘Darkest England’ takes us on a journey which calls us to hear again the implicit call of scripture for the church to spend itself on behalf of the poor.
I thought immediately of the verse 4 of the song "The Servant king" and thought it would be good to share it.
1. From heaven you came helpless babe
Entered our world, your glory veiled
Not to be served, but to serve
And give your life, that we might live
Chorus:
This is our God, the Servant King
He calls us now to follow him
To bring our lives as daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King
2. There in the garden of tears
My heavy load, he chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
Yet not my will but yours he said
3. Come see his hands and his feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered
4. So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone him
Each others needs to prefer
For it is Christ we're serving
Chorus:
This is our God, the Servant King
He calls us now to follow him
To bring our lives as daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King.
Lord, may others see you in me.
May my life be spent in serving you and in serving others.
Help me to be willing to serve and to be humble in my dealings with your people - putting your glory before mine.
Amen!
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