Good Morning Friends,
“As apostles of Christ we could have been a
burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her
little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you
not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so
dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked
night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the
gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous
and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with
each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting
and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and
glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-12)
Paul uses interesting images of leaders in this
passage, all taken from the human family. Each shows a different aspect of godly
leadership.
“We were gentle among you, like a mother caring
for her little children.” A godly leader has compassion on those being led. A godly
leader wants those being led know they are loved. A godly leader can be
compared to a loving mother, who meets the needs of her children with obvious
compassion. Mothering is not a duty performed roughly, but an act of love
performed with tenderness -- so, too, godly leadership.
“Surely you remember, brothers.” Godly leaders
never forget that they are a part of the team, brothers to those they lead.
They are not above those they lead as though they are more valuable or worthy. They
are fulfilling a God-given ministry, even as the rest of the team is.
“As a father deals with his own children,
encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God.” A mother’s
gentleness characterizes godly leadership, but so does a father’s challenge for
his children to fulfill their calling. A godly leader doesn’t just provide for
the needs of those being led so they feel loved and cared for, a godly leader
spurs them on to be what God wants them to be, challenging them to growth and
service.
His, by Grace, Steve
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