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leading the right way // Thursday E-Devotion

“When we are arrogant we are postured for disappointment. Humility is always treated better than she expects. We don’t have attitude problems we have pride problems. Humility is the only cure. It is also the most significant qualifier for spiritual leadership. We are called to no less than the very attitude of Jesus who humbled Himself and gave His life on our behalf. Submission unites us to the mission. Only those who humbly follow Christ should be trusted to lead. The pathway to integrity is the development of humility. Humility is the ethos from which integrity emerges.” --- Erwin McManus (from “Broken Pieces”)

Did you hear that? Humility is essential to leading. It is also essential to being a disciple. Pride says “I can”, but humility says “we can”. True humility is a sign of integrity. And we need Christians and leaders with great integrity.

McManus continued, “…we recognize that spiritual maturity is not about perfection, but health. While we all have struggles and weaknesses that remain constant challenges, we can become whole disciples who enjoy the life we live and make a positive contribution into the lives of others. This is the exciting prospect of living in biblical community. We can in fact become the person we long to be.”

I am blown about by his thoughts about community (Erwin McManus is the pastor of Mosaic in LosAngeles) and his notes on leadership.

Jesus taught that leadership had to be servant driven and full of emotion. He was a man that was driven, enough to die for His followers. Jesus was a man that loved others, and they knew His love was real.

Our church leadership team met last night and read about and talked about listening. Man, that is a lost art form in much of our world, yet without the listening component of life we miss all the good stuff from other people. Leading takes listening and it takes humility. Oh, and humility leads us to listen to others.

“For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NLT)

“If you stop
listening to instruction, my child, you have turned your back on knowledge.” Proverbs 19:27 (NLT)

It is time for Christian leaders, here and in other places, to be leading the right way. Two big pieces of leading the right way are humility and listening. I challenge you as God has challenged me today to add both to every day life as we interact with the people Jesus loves.

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