Servant Leadership – When Leadership Becomes a Quest for Importance (365/261)
When someone else receives the recognition we long for, do we celebrate them wholeheartedly or quietly wish it had been us?
“...Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.” (3 John 9)
The Apostle John’s brief account of Diotrephes in his third letter is very revealing. Diotrephes wanted to be first. His desire for prominence shaped how he led the church. He rejected the apostle John’s authority, spoke maliciously against him and even put people out of the church for receiving other believers (v 9-10). He not only was proud, but used his position to protect his importance. Instead of nurturing the church, he controlled it. Instead of welcoming fellow believers, he excluded them. His leadership became about preserving his place rather than serving God’s people.
When our identity depends on being needed, noticed or praised, serving can become a means of securing our importance.
Servant leadership begins when we no longer need to be the centre of attention. John the Baptist understood this when he said of Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). His joy was not in preserving his following but in pointing people to Christ. He knew that Jesus alone deserves the highest place.
Pause and Ponder
How do I respond when someone else receives the recognition I desire?
Do I use my influence to empower others or protect my position?
What would change if my greatest desire were to make Christ known rather than make myself noticed?
As we follow Christ, may we surrender our need for prominence to Him, so we can serve without competing, lead without controlling and rejoice when others flourish.
Lord Jesus, help me celebrate others sincerely, serve without seeking recognition and may You increase as I learn to take the humble place. Amen.
Extended Reading: 3 John
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