This series has been on relationships because a lot of times we overlook the people closest to us.  Kinda like how I just spent time going to store to buy bacon just to find out I had some in my pocket the whole time.

Previously I talked about we’re supposed to help others manage their roles and callings.  This goes double if you’re in some sort of authority over them, say like in a family setting.

But here’s the thing with that.  Being a leader or manager isn’t like being the king where you sit on your throne and hand out orders.  You there, start having discipline with your homework.  You there, read your Bible everyday.  You there, learn patience by watching the Star Wars prequels. That’s how the world looks at leadership.

The world sees leadership like a triangle, with the leader on top, and everyone underneath.  And on a relationship level, that’s maybe how we might see the dad of a family. But is that triangle model really how God wants things?   What does Christ have to say about leadership? This passage here is right after Christ had finished washing the disciples’ feet.

JN 13: [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

This is pretty much also said here…

LK 9: [48] For he who is least among you all–he is the greatest.”

What Christ is talking about is a concept of Servant-Leadership.  And that’s how we need to see ourselves in our relationships. So what do we do? We need to take that triangle model and flip it upside down.  Where we are on the bottom tip, and the people we are have relationships are above us.

Christ is essentially saying, the greatest among you have more people above them in the upside down triangle. Don’t think of yourself as the one throwing a leash around others’ necks and dragging them down the road closer to Christ…

…but rather think of yourself as the servant, who on the road, must move obstacles out of the way, give the person water, give them encouragement when they get tired, and help navigate.

So today, stop and think about how can you influence your spouse, kids, family, friends through servanthood. And just to be clear, servanthood does not include being asked to kill a spider for your wife when you’re in the middle of playing a game of Sudoku on your phone, while there are two totally capable teenagers laying around texting who could have just as easily gotten up and got a piece of tissue paper to smush that thing.

JN 13:12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. [13] “You call me `Teacher’ and `Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Take Time To Pray: Ask God to help you understand how to be a servant and be influential at the same time. Today’s Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness.