Servanthood vs. Stardom: The True Heart of Genuine Leadership
Devotional Guest Post: Marcia Thorsell
II Kings 13-14, Romans 4, Psalm 146
Continuing the theme from our reading yesterday out of Romans 3, Paul continues regarding the divisions they (we) create as we put leaders on pedestals and establish our own Top Ten list of leaders and ministers….or Top One list as in…this particular Pastor, leader, Worship leader, minister, ministry is the best out there, devaluing every other effort. Really…..who do we think we are anyway? I’m not pointing at anyone else, pointing at me….but if the shoe fits…haha.
Rom. 4: 1,2 TPT So then you must perceive us – not as leaders of factions, but as servants of the Anointed One, those who have been entrusted with God’s mysteries. The most important quality of one entrusted with such secrets is that they are faithful and trustworthy.
First of all….servants? Not stars…servants. Now I think there are leaders who are far from feet washers and are loving all the attention and glory; however, there are plenty of genuine, humble leaders who desire no glory for themselves, but people just won’t let them stay in that state. It’s so easy to get our eyes off of the One who put them in that place, anointed them, gifted them, and we begin to worship them. Maybe that wasn’t the intent, but that’s what it became. When we go to a concert and get chills and wildly applaud when the Worship leader steps out as though they were a Hollywood star. Or our excitement about going to church is not centered on the Lord, but on seeing and hearing this particular man or woman. Or we give of our time to serve in a ministry because we want recognition from a man….being pleasers of men rather than pleasers of God. I could keep going. Maybe that doesn’t hit you, but it hit me. I plead guilty of all the above.
These leaders are entrusted with the mysteries of God. Now that is a weighty thing. I mean, scripture tells us that they bear responsibility for what they have done and said and taught. But what got me was why they were entrusted with these secrets of God. It was because they were faithful and trustworthy! Now I can certainly be prone to self-condemnation, but it did cause me to think. Am I trustworthy to God? Have I not been chosen for certain things or given certain insights because I wasn’t trustworthy to God? it makes you think, right? I think that is probably true in my case.
Let me give you a similar example. I used to pray for wealth and tell God I would use it for His Kingdom. I thought that was true, but I’m sure the motive was not pure and I wonder if I couldn’t be trusted in the eyes of God with such riches? How many people have we seen spiral when fame or fortune entered their life? Maybe it was protection on His part…protecting me from myself.
Romans 4: 5. TPT So resist temptation to pronounce premature judgment on anything before the appointed time when all will be fully revealed. Instead, wait until the Lord makes his appearance, for he will bring all that is hidden in darkness to light and unveil every secret motive of everyone’s heart. Then, when the whole truth is known, each will receive praise from God.
What a sobering thought! He is going to reveal all our secrets and all our motives! I don’t know about you, but I’ve had plenty of wrong motives in my ministry and just in general in my life. Let me be really candid. Years ago, I was ministering at a women’s conference and we, the leaders were laying hands on the ladies to be filled with the Spirit. Now I really did want all the glory to go to the Lord and that is what I prayed. But when the ladies I touched fell out in the spirit, my thoughts were prideful as though it had anything to do with me! How ugly is that! That certainly wasn’t the only time that I was swallowed up in pride. There have been countless times. Because I’ve always been in a music ministry, there was a constant fight with pride! Motives certainly were not pure.
My point in saying those things is just that God saw it then and convicted me and I believe I repented. But in the end, anything hidden will be exposed. The good news I see in this verse is that after that exposure (the whole truth is known), we will receive our praise from God. It doesn’t say we will receive our condemnation or be shamed, but our praise.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
We have such a kind and gracious Father! Although there is not one good thing in us, He saves us by grace and thankfully gives us new mercies every morning! I’m so grateful!!!
Father, my desire is to be trustworthy in your eyes so that I can be entrusted with your secrets and be a humble tool for you to use in your kingdom. Holy Spirit, I cannot have pure motives on my own, but you inhabit and fill me with yourself and I surrender my every thought and motive to you!
Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts
- Reflect on Servanthood vs. Stardom: Consider your own perceptions of spiritual leaders. How do you view them, and how does that align with the biblical call to see them as servants rather than stars? Reflect on any adjustments you might need to make in your perspective.
- Evaluating Trustworthiness with God’s Secrets: Reflect on the concept of being entrusted with God’s mysteries. How do you feel about your own trustworthiness and faithfulness in handling what God reveals to you? Are there areas in your life where you feel you need to grow to become more trustworthy?
- Motives in Ministry and Service: Think about the last time you served or participated in a ministry. What were your true motives? Were they purely for God’s glory, or were there elements of seeking recognition or approval from others? Be honest with yourself and consider how you might purify your intentions moving forward.
- The Impact of Hidden Motives: Reflect on Romans 4:5, where it talks about God revealing the secrets of our hearts at the appointed time. How does this verse challenge you to examine your secret motives, especially in your ministry or service to others?
- Embracing God’s Grace and Mercy: In light of recognizing our flaws and the potential for hidden, impure motives, reflect on Romans 8:1 and the graciousness of God. How does the assurance of no condemnation in Christ encourage you to pursue a more transparent and honest relationship with God and others?
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