Reflections for Lent

Philippians 2:1-11 NRSV

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Each year, companies spend billions of dollars on leadership training and development. Several years ago, my employer invested in sending me through a professional development course called “The Leadership Challenge,” based on an internationally best-selling book by the same name. (J.M. Kouzes and B.Z. Posner). The book’s byline is “How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations.” Spoiler alert: The Cliff Notes version of the book is in tandem with our scripture today. One, be clear about your values and choose love to be top. Two, live out your values with gratitude, passion, and joy.

Three, keep an open heart, building trust-filled relationships while maintaining a healthy measure of humility. Many people have written about the seeming paradoxes of servant leadership. But the wisdom found in scripture and the life of Christ cannot be denied. We KNOW how to make extraordinary things happen in our families, communities, and the world. Let’s do it! 

~Margaret Key~