You Lead? Then
Walk with Them.
“After these things Jesus walked in Galilee…” (John
7:1, NKJV)
While traveling by air-conditioned,
automatically driven rented car in the land of Israel in May 2019, I was amazed at the
beautiful terrain – the hills, the mountains, the lakes, the vast fields of
crops and vegetation.
And then I stopped and thought,
“Jesus actually walked all this way, with His disciples, for miles and miles
and miles. He didn’t just say, “Do this” and “Do that”. Or simply, “Go here”
and “Go there” to them, from His leadership role. He actually walked
with them! All the way!
Yeshua (Jesus) came to
earth to not only save us from our sins but also to demonstrate to us, by
actually doing and showing in the natural, what He and His Father are all
about. They create people. They love people. They walk with us, day in and day
out.
The hills of Jerusalem. Photo by Steve Martin - May 7, 2019
No wonder Yeshua and
His followers needed to have their feet washed whenever they entered a home. From
the dusty roads to the mountainous paths, typically wearing sandals on their
bare feet, they walked, together, for three years. Day in and day out, year
after year. They were together as a team. Doing, acting, praying, celebrating,
suffering, eating. Together.
No wonder there had been
created such a bond of brotherhood (and sisterhood, for the many women who also
came with them, in support of this great mission.)
“There were also women
looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James
the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him
when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.”
(Mark 15:40-41, NKJV”
Jesus demonstrated what
leadership is all about. For those of us who have been given this
responsibility, this privilege, this honor of leading others into the kingdom
of God – be it on the accounting job, the road crew, the front desk in the
office, the teacher "training up in the way they should go" role, or the pastor’s place in the church building – leaders are called to
walk with their people, not lord over them.
“Calling them to
Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as
rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise
authority over them. "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes
to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you
shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45, NASU)
With Him as our
example, we are to walk in humility, while encouraging, those who the Lord has
given to follow in our steps. We haven’t been called to rule with an iron rod,
but yet with firmness, certainty, and understanding of His ways, we are to lead
with love, as we uplift them in their roles and areas of responsibility.
In my 40 years of
having a position in administration and directorship, I have learned that it is
best to treat others as you would like to be treated – with respect, dignity,
and appreciation for the hard work most people do accomplish on the job every day. Giving
thanks, being mindful of their concerns and desires, and assisting them to
better perform their work will always get better results.
And another thing I
have learned to do, after being spoken this by one who was in my department
under my leadership, “Honey goes farther than vinegar.” How we communicate
speaks volumes. What we do before and after that communication can change
lives.
I am not plugging my
book LeadershipThrough Love here, but heh, if you know what to do, then share it with
others who may also need to know.
It works for me. And
others certainly appreciate it!
Now think of this,
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People,
Inc.
P.S. On May 10 I returned from my 20th
trip to Israel. And guess what? I brought back for you my last 58 short videos
I entitled “Walk With Me in Israel”. You can join me as I walk through the beautiful
land and cities of Israel. Watch them here on our YouTube channel: Walk With Me - Israel May 2019
If these messages have
ministered to you, please consider sending a charitable gift of $10-$25 today,
and maybe each month, to help us bless families in Israel whom we consistently
help monthly through our humanitarian work.
Your tax-deductible contributions receive a receipt for each
donation. Fed. ID #27-1633858.
Please donate online
safely through our website. Click here: DONATE
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be sent to:
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Inc.
P.O. Box 414
Pineville, NC 28134
Todah rabah! (Hebrew – Thank you very much.)
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Now Think On This #423 - in the year of our Lord 05.18.19 – “You Lead? Then Walk with Them.” – Saturday,
7:15 am
