Leaders often look back on their lives and work and see the path they have climbed to get to where they are today. And in looking back, they quietly say to themselves, “I’m glad I don’t have to do all that again.”

They would never say it out loud, but their heart is saying, “I’m above all that, now that I am a leader and in charge.”

When I was a media minister, I had a seminary student intern who wanted to lead a church media ministry. One day, I asked him to coil up the big, long camera cables we had in our small studio. He looked at me and, either in words or facial expression, communicated, “It is beneath me to do that.” The young man was about to learn a lesson from me.

In the years of our MEDIA Alliance ministry, I have licked envelopes, folded programs, set up tables and chairs at conferences, and performed many other menial tasks. To be honest, I didn’t really think about it as being above me or below me. The task just needed to be done.

The founder of Bell Aircraft, Lawrence D. Bell, is quoted as saying, “Show me a man who cannot be bothered to do little things, and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.”

Jesus was pretty clear about how we need to serve and where our hearts should be. He taught that the first should be last, and He demonstrated this as He washed the disciples’ feet. Some of those chosen men struggled in that area. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, wanted something from Jesus.

“Arrange it,” they said, “so that we will be awarded the highest places of honor in your glory—one of us at your right, the other at your left.” Jesus said, “You have no idea what you’re asking…”

Mark 10:37-38 MSG

I know that in leadership, we need to delegate tasks to others, protect our time, and do the things that only we can do. But we also need to check ourselves to see where our heart is. Pride is a sneaky thing that can destroy a good and powerful ministry.

Leadership expert John Maxwell is strong on leaders serving others in our ministries or organizations:

I believe the bottom line in leadership isn’t how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others. That is achieved by serving others and adding value to their lives. I believe that God desires us not only to treat people with respect but also to actively reach out to them and serve them.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

A word of warning: Don’t do those menial tasks for show or announce to others what a great servant you are. Or pride will be knocking at your door.

Serve the Lord…and others…with gladness, and let the Lord lift you up.

God’s best,