The Humble Leaders We Should Be

I’ve been sitting in thought lately about the type of leader I seek, and the type of leader I am. I’ve always sought out extremely humble yet confident leaders and honestly, they are not always easy to find — leaders who truly have the attitude of lowliness and preferring others above themselves the way Jesus did. It’s been heavy on my mind and of course, Jesus met me in His word!

Matthew 23:1-6:

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and His disciples, “The teachers every religious law, and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example.”

The last part hit me differently. Jesus said OBEY them, but DO NOT follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach”. Their words and their knowledge were right, but their hearts were not in the right place. Therefore their actions didn’t align a life with a life lived for the Lord. God still used it to bring people truth, but the other half was missing (so true to Gods character that He can use anything!)

Then it keeps going in verse 5…

“Everything they do is for show. They love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogue. They love to receive respectful, greetings as they walk in the marketplace and to be called Rabbi”.

Do we need for people to see us? Are we willing to play the background while God moves through us how He wants? Do we prefer one another above ourselves? Are we willing to be poured out like a drink offering? Are we willing to be wrong? Are we vulnerable and share our desperate need for Jesus with others around us?

I want to be a humble and lowly leader like Jesus was, always. Empty of myself and full of humility. I want to always make space for the work He asks of me, honoring Him by honoring others first before my wants or desires.

Matthew 22: 36-40 Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

May we always put the Lord first, and honor others above ourselves. I pray we take care of ourselves emotionally, spiritually and physically so that we can be effective for the kingdom of God and loving to the people around us!