How Low Can You Go

    The large chunk of scripture below is a lesson in leadership we all should hope to learn. When we are put into or seeking leadership roles in any aspect of our lives, we should lead as Christ did. The word, "humble" doesn't even scratch the surface. If I had to pick the most important characteristic of leadership, I strongly believe it is humility. 

    If you don't have a humble heart like Jesus, you aren't ready for leadership. When most people get into leadership roles it becomes a power trip for them. They become dictators who believe they can just look good and get all the accolades and attention while only doing the most "respectable" jobs. However, leadership is all about the dirty work. Who are we to think that we are above anything? In Jesus time, washing feet was saved for the lowest of lows, yet the King of the Universe lowered Himself not only to the form of man, His own creation, but then went as low as to wash the feet of His own followers. 

    If you want to be a good leader, lead from the pack. Practice what you preach and get in there and do the work. There should be no job that is beneath you. When you lead like that, you are exemplifying Christ. That is when you earn respect from people and make an impact for Jesus. Let your actions speak as loud as your words.

John 13:3-17 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him,and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (NIV)

Philippians 2:5-11 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (NIV)

Matthew 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 12:22-24 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it (NIV)