Devotional

Serve to Lead

Ready 

“…Whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest and whoever leads, like the one serving. For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving?” – Luke 22:26-27

Set 

Do you have a deep desire in your heart to lead your team but feel like you aren’t in the right position to do it? Maybe you’re an assistant coach and want to coach more and with passion. Maybe you’re not the captain of your team but you feel God tugging at your heart to step up and be a leader to your teammates. Maybe God keeps whispering into your ear that He has built you to be a leader, and yet you can’t muster the strength to do it. Maybe you don’t believe that you have what it takes to be a leader even though you desire to be. Guess what--no matter what position you hold on your team or as a coach--God has designed you to be a leader as a follower of Christ. You can lead right where you are by serving your teammates and fellow peers.

Jesus is the perfect example to us of servant leadership. He was a glorious King and the very Son of God, yet He didn’t look like anything special; He was human in the flesh. But He chose to take care of those who were hurting and even washed other people’s feet because He was a leader, born to lead others to God by serving them and loving them. That is what you have been called to do, and it’s exactly what good leaders should do. Follow the example of Jesus while He was on Earth; serve in order to love and lead, and in doing so, you will love to serve.

You don’t have to be the head coach or the star athlete to make a difference on your team and lead with passion and strength. You only need a passion for God and strength in faith to lead others well. By embracing servant leadership and allowing yourself to exude humility, you will only lead those you are influencing closer to the character of Christ. So, don’t worry about what position you have been placed in, for you have been called to rise up and lead! You have been designed to serve and love, and in making your life less about you, you make the Name of Jesus even greater.

Go 
  • Do you feel called to be a leader?
  • How can you actively serve your team today?
  • What does it look like to cultivate servant leadership on your team?
Workout 

Mark 10:42-45; John 13:12-15; Acts 20:35

Overtime 

“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your example of servant leadership. Forgive me for the times I feel like I don’t have what it takes to lead. I want to be the leader that You have designed me to be, help me to serve my team and love them well so that they may get to know You personally. I love You, Lord, in Jesus Name I pray, Amen.”

Bible Reference: 
Luke 22:26-27
Mark 10:42-45
John 13:12-15
Acts 20:35