“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.” — John 13:5
Servant Leadership
Recently, I came across a story about Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy. While hundreds of CFA employees were eating lunch at the company’s headquarters in Atlanta, Cathy was walking around the large dining area serving his employees, removing their dirty dishes and wiping down tables. This from a man with an approximate net worth of $6.6 billion.
In addition, I heard another story about Mr. Cathy and his partner who were eating lunch at one of their local competitors’ restaurant. When they both used the restroom, Mr. Cathy, when he was exiting the restroom, saw a need and filled a need by cleaning and wiping down the bathroom sinks and counters. Serving his competitor.
In the verse above, we read how Jesus (the King of Kings) stooped down to His knees, humbled Himself, washing and drying each of His disciples’ feet. Jesus modeled the character and conduct of being a servant leader. If you have never served someone in that manner, I assure you, it is very humbling.
The culture we live in today says, “Be first, regardless of who you hurt.” Get what you can get. Have people serve you. Don’t serve others. Take advantage of people. Rule over them. Dominate them. Control them. Lead them with a hatchet, don’t lead them with your heart.
I encourage each of us to learn a lesson from the life of Jesus and Dan Cathy by being a “servant leader.”
If you want to be first, humble yourself and serve others before self. Especially those you are leading and influencing. See a need, fill a need. It will not only impact those you are leading, but it will impact you as well.
— Kevin Burrell
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