This week has honestly been tough for me as a leader. I have faced some situations in which I have questioned how to do my job effectively, and still love. But I have come to the conclusion that if my actions are not out of love and service, than my emotions and flesh are dictating the situation and when I start introducing character flaws such as selfishness and impatience, I fail to love. My actions should be purely motivated by Agape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2ZCIp0HiRo
So, where do I draw the line of tough love and being mean? Well this is something I have thought about a lot. Not everyone is going to agree with me and I understand that, but I think we find a clear definition of Agape in the way Jesus discipled and ministered to others.
My friend sent me these verses midweek: Romans 8:14-18 [For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.]
In reading this, I recognized that the Lord, my Father, released me from the slavery I allowed to hold me captive. Because I am His child, I am free in His name from the world. As I reflected on my past, I realized He definitely didn't adopt or love me because I am perfect and have it all together. Rather, He adopted me as His own because I am so completely helpless without Him. Keeping this in mind, our leadership should reflect this kind of Agape.
As humans, we are imperfect and full of flaws. Nevertheless, the same kind of patience the Lord had when it came to my heart is the same kind of patience we should have towards those subordinates we are leading. I have found that when situations were inconvenient for me, the Lord is clearly at work in a broken heart and satan is trying to intercept the work of the Lord. As believers, we are reminded repeatedly to not lose heart when we fail, but day by day take the truths the Lord has placed in our hearts and live by them, then allowing them to become the song in our heart, preaching these truths to not only ourselves but more importantly using them to ministering to others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2ZCIp0HiRo
So, where do I draw the line of tough love and being mean? Well this is something I have thought about a lot. Not everyone is going to agree with me and I understand that, but I think we find a clear definition of Agape in the way Jesus discipled and ministered to others.
My friend sent me these verses midweek: Romans 8:14-18 [For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.]
As humans, we are imperfect and full of flaws. Nevertheless, the same kind of patience the Lord had when it came to my heart is the same kind of patience we should have towards those subordinates we are leading. I have found that when situations were inconvenient for me, the Lord is clearly at work in a broken heart and satan is trying to intercept the work of the Lord. As believers, we are reminded repeatedly to not lose heart when we fail, but day by day take the truths the Lord has placed in our hearts and live by them, then allowing them to become the song in our heart, preaching these truths to not only ourselves but more importantly using them to ministering to others.
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