“We see you more as a doer instead of a leader,” she said to me during our post-interview meeting.  It isn’t what I wanted to hear at the time.  After twenty-six years of service in the same position, I had applied for a supervisory position that made sense for my next career steps within my current department.  My employer was gracious enough to grant a debriefing time to discuss the hiring rationale and offer some advice to further my career pursuits.  I was disappointed, needless to say, but our conversation didn’t surprise me.  I turned to God’s word to understand more of His will and my purpose.   (Pause for Thought:  “But be ye DOERS of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a DOER, he is like unto a man beholding his face in a natural glass:  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.”—James 1:22-24  Have you ever been rejected by someone?  What were your immediate feelings?  How long did your feelings last?  What did you choose to do regarding your feelings?)

 

She went on to explain what I needed to do, or more appropriately, what I must stop doing.  “Leaders”, she said, “must stop doing and start leading.”  This just didn’t seem scriptural to me.  Great leaders of the faith were always doing–modeling, coaching, and instructing, because the Holy Spirit had placed them in circumstances where what they had done, and continued to do, helped others achieve their highest good.  Even as she spoke, I reflected on Joseph, Moses, Daniel, and most of all, Jesus.  (Pause for Thought:  “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a DOER of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.—James 1:25  Who or what do you turn to for affirmation or consolation when rejected?  How stable are these individuals or things?  Do they have a history of being rejected themselves?)

 

I am grateful my Lord, King, and Savior never stopped doing for me.  Seeing Jesus lead in all righteousness as He prays for me, heals me, affirms me, makes atonement for me, and so much more– for me, gives me the encouragement to lead by doing even if other leaders are not.  (Pause for Thought:  “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.  I tell you the truth, 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’.”—John 13:12-17  How has living in and encountering what Jesus has done for you inspired you to do likewise for others?  Do you fear doing what Jesus has done for you?  Why?  What can drive away the fear, so you can be and do more like Jesus?)